The opening of the cargo-sorting operations of FedEx at its mid-Atlantic hub - at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTIA) – has been delayed due to projections of lower demand for the company’s services in 2009. 

The earlier predicted June 2009 opening has been pushed back to December, or possibly even later than that!

The construction of the hub which cost $300 – with $115 million coming from North Carolina’s taxpayers in incentives - is complete, and FedEx team is currently testing machinery in the plant.

While committing the hub to PTIA, the company promised almost 800 employees, but, in the present conditions, the number of employees will also be cut down by nearly half – FedEx now estimates employing about 200 employees initially for the sorting hub, and a combined staff of nearly 360 in the buildings.

Fed Ex spokesman, Jim McCluskey, said the changes that are likely to be made “say nothing about the company’s commitment to the Triad operation, and everything about the bad economy”. The steps announced are a part of the company’s belt-tightening efforts, aimed at cutting the expenses.

UNCG professor of geography, Keith Debbage, said that the announcement of postponement of opening operations by FedEx shows the company’s pragmatic approach while dealing with the economy.

Debbage added: “I don't think there’s any overwhelming cause for concern at this point. It's disappointing, but hey, the whole economy is disappointing.”