By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
The second chapter of FedEx’s departure from Del Rio is now complete.
After ending aircraft operations at Del Rio International Airport earlier this year, FedEx officials confirmed Tuesday that the company’s facility at 900 W. 15th St. will permanently close Sept. 26.
“As part of our previously announced network transformation strategy, the FedEx facility on West 15th Street in Del Rio will close on Sept. 26,” company spokesman David Westrick said in a statement provided to The 830 Times.
FedEx officials said employees were notified of the closure several months in advance. While the company has not released the number of employees affected, officials said some workers will be offered positions elsewhere within the company while others may qualify for relocation assistance, job placement services or severance benefits.
The closure is part of FedEx’s nationwide Network 2.0 initiative, an effort to consolidate its Express and Ground operations into a single integrated network.
For customers, the company said package service in Del Rio will continue.
Residents who previously dropped off packages at the West 15th Street location will be directed to other FedEx shipping locations. The company said customers can locate alternative drop-off sites through its website.
The announcement comes roughly a year after FedEx ended aircraft operations at Del Rio International Airport.
At the time, company officials said the decision would not affect customer service because packages would instead be transported by truck to nearby FedEx hubs before continuing through the company’s distribution network.
Former Mayor Al Arreola said at the time the move reflected broader changes within the shipping industry rather than issues unique to Del Rio.
FedEx’s departure from the airport also had local economic impacts. While landing fees generated only modest revenue for the city, the loss of regular cargo flights affected businesses operating at the airport.
Among them was Rio Grande Aviation, whose owners announced they would leave Del Rio after citing the loss of airport business following FedEx’s departure.
The Sept. 26 closure marks the final step in FedEx’s physical departure from Del Rio as the company continues consolidating operations nationwide.
