FedEx: Omicron will lead to shipment delays, staff shortages

Robert Besser
12 Jan 2022, 03:23 GMT+10

Federal Express has warned that rising numbers of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant will lead to staff shortages and delays to shipments transported by air
Severe winter storms in the U.S., including one that hit the main FedEX air hub in Memphis, Tennessee, have caused challenges
Rival United Parcel Service said employees calling in sick due to Omicron are not impacting their services, as it also has contingency plans in place

MEMPHIS, Tennessee: Federal Express has warned that rising numbers of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron variant will lead to staff shortages and delays to shipments transported by air.

"The explosive surge of the COVID-19 Omicron variant has caused a temporary shortage of available crew members and operational staff," the company said in a statement.

Severe winter storms in the U.S., including one that hit the main FedEX air hub in Memphis, Tennessee, have caused challenges, and FedEx officials said they are implementing contingency plans and adjusting operations to minimize disruptions, the company added.

Rival United Parcel Service (UPS) said employees calling in sick due to Omicron are not impacting their services, as it also has contingency plans in place.

"Recent weather events in the Louisville, Kentucky and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania areas caused some delivery delays," said a UPS spokesperson, as reported by Reuters.

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant and extreme winter weather have forced several American airlines to cancel flights, as pilots and crew were required to quarantine.

On January 6, inadequate staffing levels and other issues forced the U.S. Postal Service, one of the country's largest public employers, with 650,000 employees, to request a delay in carrying out the Biden administration's new vaccine or testing requirements covering large businesses.

According to Reuters, U.S. coronavirus deaths have risen by 2,133 to reach 836,901.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Singapore Star.

More Information

27 ℃

Mostly Cloudy in Seletar

International

Section

Would a new Cold War be in the best interest of the United States?

As China unleashed live-fire military exercises off the coast of Taiwan, simulating a real "reunification by force" operation in the ...

Myanmar deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi to serve six additional years in prison

NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar - According to a legal official, a court in Myanmar has sentenced former leader Aung San Suu Kyi ...

China, Nepal to build rail, communications network across Himalayas

BEIJING, China: Following a meeting between their foreign ministers, China and Nepal have agreed to build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity ...

Heatwave continues in China as temperatures exceed 40C

BEIJING, China: Several regions in China experienced temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, including the major southwestern city of Chongqing.The country's ...

California seeks $1.4 billion to keep nuclear plant open

SACRAMENTO, California: California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing to give a $1.4 billion government loan to extend the life of ...

With Covid cases increasing, India's New Delhi continues mask mandate

NEW DELHI, India: A government order released to reporters this week said New Delhi will continue to enforce a mask ...

Business

Section