FedEx Acquires Flying Tiger Line

The deal turned Federal Express from a mainly domestic overnight carrier into a global air network. Flying Tiger was then the world's largest all-cargo airline, and the purchase gave Federal Express flying rights to 21 countries and territories, including markets such as Japan, London and South America that it had struggled to enter, plus 39 aircraft and about 6,500 employees. Merging two very different workforces and fleets was difficult, but it gave FedEx the international reach to compete with DHL. Brands shipping cross-border parcels today rely on networks built this way, because international air traffic rights are tightly negotiated between governments.

• Time in TransitBusiness days from first scan to delivery

• Fred Smith1944–2025 · Founder of FedEx

• Federal Express Begins Overnight Service1973 · 14 jets carry 186 packages through one Memphis hub
• Founding of DHL1969 · Couriers fly shipping papers ahead of the cargo
• Boeing 747 Freighter1972 · The first 747 freighter enters service with Lufthansa

1. Flying Tiger Line merged into FedEx (Airways Magazine) airwaysmag.com
2. FedEx History (FedEx) fedex.com