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1_The Airbus Fly Your Ideas winning team 2013: team Levar Brazil. Left to right: Caio Reis, Leonard Akamatsu, Marcos Philipson, Felipe De-Castro (Airbus mentor), Henrique Corazza. 2_Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper signs for delivery of a Panda from FedEx in Toronto.
FedEx in March safely delivered two giant pandas from China to Toronto Zoo following months of preparations and public anticipation. The giant panda breeding pair, Er Shun (female) and Da Mao (male), made the journey from Chengdu, China, to the FedEx Express Canadian Hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport, aboard a specially branded MD-11 aircraft donated by FedEx. The pandas arrived in Toronto after an 18 hour trip. FedEx Express, the Toronto Zoo, and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding collaborated extensively to ensure all necessary precautions were taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas. Animal care experts were granted special flight privileges to accompany the pandas onboard the aircraft. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was airside to officially sign for Canada’s receipt of the giant pandas on a FedEx PowerPad handed to him by Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express Canada. “Today is significant for Canadians as it marks an important symbol of trade and diplomacy between our country and China. As the world’s global transportation leader, FedEx understands first-hand the opportunity and potential that comes with strengthened relationships and improved global connectivity—all of which is wrapped into the symbolism of today’s delivery,” said Lisson. “As excited as we are about facilitating this exchange between Canada and China, I can attest that all our 6,000-strong team of employees, from coast-to-
FEDEX MAKES HISTORIC PANDA DELIVERY TO TORONTO ZOO
coast, are as eagerly excited about the prospects of a giant panda cub being born on Canadian soil.” Following the arrival of FedEx Panda Express, Er Shun and Da Mao were transported by two FedEx Express trucks to Toronto Zoo where they will begin a five-year stay before transferring to Calgary. The speciallybranded FedEx Express trucks will stay in service throughout the giant pandas’ stay in Toronto, delivering 600 to 900 kilograms of fresh bamboo supplies two-to-three times a week, courtesy of the Memphis Zoo. The cooperative conservation agreement with China marked the first time in more than 20 years that a giant panda has been loaned to a Canadian zoo. The agreement also marked the first time the Chinese government has granted a ten-year loan of breeding giant pandas to any international zoo in the world. Following a brief but mandatory quarantine, the giant pandas will be on view to the public at a newlyconstructed exhibit at the Toronto Zoo. The programme will allow the zoo to contribute to international efforts to protect and increase the population of the endangered giant pandas through investments in research and conservation efforts. Currently, conservationists estimate that there are just over 2,000 giant pandas left in the wild. FedEx Express has successfully transported a number of giant panda pairs, underscoring the company’s commitment to safely and securely transporting even the world’s most precious cargo. F.
THE PROPORTION OF ARRIVING PASSENGERS AT GENEVA AIRPORT (GVA) THAT USE FREE PUBLIC TRANSPORT HAS ALREADY REACHED 45%, A GOAL THAT WAS SET FOR 2020.
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