DHL to add three 777Fs to cut international transit times

DHL is adding three new Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft to its fleet to expand capacity and improve transit times on routes between the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. The company has signed a multi-year service agreement for US cargo carrier Southern Air Holdings to operate the new 777 Freighters on its behalf.

The first 777F began service last month, connecting DHL hubs in Cincinnati with Bahrain and Hong Kong in a round-the-world operation.

An additional two 777Fs will be added in March or April 2012.

DHL said the new aircraft would mean customers would be benefiting from later pick-up times for their next-day deliveries from Hong Kong to the Americas region, and from the Americas to the Middle East.

The use of the more efficient 777F aircraft will also mean cutting carbon emissions.

Charlie Dobbie, EVP global network operations for DHL Express, said the service upgrades would be of particular interest to DHL customers in the oil and gas, technology and communications industries.

He said: “For the express services from Canada, Latin America and USA provided through our hub in Cincinnati to the Middle East via Bahrain, we are able to shorten transit times considerably, by as much as one full day.”

The Boeing 777F offers extended range and higher capacity while reducing fuel consumption by as much as 25% compared to other cargo aircraft.

Connecticut-based Southern Air will operate four 777Fs from next year, three on behalf of DHL, and is actively looking to expand its 777F fleet beyond that. The firm also operates 11 Boeing 747-200 aircraft.

Southern Air’s chief executive officer Daniel J. McHugh said: “The Boeing 777s are the largest, most capable twin-engine freighters in the world, and we are thrilled to be flying these premium aircraft on DHL’s behalf.”