Robust demand prompts DHL to increase capacity from Hong Kong
Logistics firm DHL Express has increased payload capacity on its dedicated Hong Kong-Shanghai and Hong Kong-Manila services in response to increasing demand and surging intra-Asia shipment volumes.
On June 21, DHL upgraded the payload capacity of the Hong Kong-Manila service, now operated by an Airbus A330-300 passenger aircraft four times weekly, from Monday to Thursday. The A330-300 passenger aircraft has a lower deck capacity of about 20 tons in various container and pallet configurations.
On June 16, capacity on the Hong-Kong Shanghai service was also increased by 60%, and began to be operated by an Airbus A300B4 freighter with a capacity of 35 tons. The aircraft, which can accommodate 18 main deck pallets and up to 20 lower deck containers, replaces an A330-300 passenger aircraft previously operated by Dragonair as a freighter service.
“Better-than-expected volumes and the robust growth in intra-Asian shipments fueled by the recovery of regional economies have necessitated the increased payload capacity,” said DHL Express regional network director for Asia-Pacific Ross Allen. “The use of dedicated aircraft enables us to control our service quality and offer DHL customers in the Asia-Pacific ideal departure, arrival and shipment transit times.”
The service frequency was similarly increased from four to five times weekly – Monday through Thursday and Saturday, southbound; Tuesday through Friday and Sunday, northbound.
The Hong Kong-Shanghai and Hong Kong-Manila services are part of DHL’s Asian Air Network, which connects capital cities and other major business centers in the region via the company’s Central Asia Hub in Hong Kong and other DHL regional hubs and gateways, offering DHL’s customers overnight express services across Asia and the Pacific.
“The increase in our payload capacity for Hong Kong-Manila and Hong Kong-Shanghai clearly shows the leadership of DHL in the region, covering the high demand of intra-Asian shipment volumes. We are pleased to always be of service to our customers,” said DHL country manager in the Philippines Alan Cassels.
DHL’s regional air network in the Asia-Pacific covers 24 destinations in 15 countries and is served by 34 dedicated cargo services and over 800 commercial flights daily.
