UPS and Fedex suspend services from Yemen

UPS and FedEx have suspended their package services from Yemen after two explosive devices originating from that country were found on cargo planes.

Suspicious packages were also reported on a swathe of planes as well as other US modes of transport.  UPS has confirmed that authorities investigated two of its aircraft in Philadelphia and one in Newark, UPS have advised it is way too early to speculate about what impact the threats would have on the company's operations.

Still, UPS in a statement confirmed it has suspended service out of Yemen until further notice for security reasons. FedEx, which had a suspicious package confiscated at a facility in Dubai, has embargoed all shipments originating from Yemen.  Both UPS and FedEx said they are cooperating fully with authorities as the investigation continues.  

Parcel carriers routinely suspend service in some countries and FedEx has a list of six countries where service has already been suspended, including Syria and Sierra Leone.  Switching parcels from Yemen to other modes of transport including air freight forwarders may be costly and cause some local disruption  but in terms of "Global trade" it is thought that the impace would be niegligible.  However, in terms of increased security worldwide for shipments moving by air only time will tell.