FedEx closes Hong Kong crew base amid stricter covid rules

FedEx Corp. is shutting its crew base in Hong Kong, the world’s busiest international cargo hub, and relocating its pilots as the city considers stricter measures on flight crew to curb the spread of Covid. While the crew base will close, FedEx will continue to operate in Hong Kong because the city is a vital part of its Asia Pacific and global network, the US company said Wednesday. The company said it’s providing support for the relocation process of crew members, without providing further details. FedEx’s move comes after Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said Tuesday that authorities will consider tougher rules after three Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. cargo pilots were confirmed to have Covid-19 after returning from Frankfurt. The city is prioritizing its Covid-Zero policy in a bid to reopening the border with mainland China. The freight and parcel delivery giant will continue to serve Hong Kong with pilots based in Oakland, California, the South China Morning Post reported, citing a memo by Robin Sebasco, Fedex’s system chief pilot. The company at the start of the year relocated 180 pilots and their families from Hong Kong to California in response to tough aircrew quarantine measures, the Post said. <br/>