DHL expands operations in Iraq

DHL, the world’s leading international air express company, business logistics solutions provider and air express pioneer in Malaysia, expanded its operations in Iraq to help assist in the country’s revival.

DHL is the first express and logistics company to operate in Iraq following the lifting of economic sanctions.

In a statement here, DHL said air express services were being offered through DHL Express, and heavy freight and logistics through DHL Danzas Air & Ocean.

“By starting our operations and services in Iraq we hope to contribute significantly to the benefit of the Iraqi people. Bridging the gap to the outside world, DHL can play a major role in all Iraq’s socio and economic redevelopment,” DHL chief executive officer, Uwe Doerken said.

Up to six daily direct flights from Bahrain to Baghdad are serviced by a combination of Airbus A-300, Antonov AN-12 and Boeing 727, dependent on the daily volume. More than 100 flights per month were being flown.

In addition, a Baghdad-based cargo aircraft had been assigned by DHL to operate exclusively within the Iraqi territory and currently services the areas from Baghdad to Kirkuk, Mosul, Talil and back to Baghdad three times a week.

DHL Danzaz Air & Ocean was creating five different hubs in the neighbouring countries of Iraq which would be used as interstations.

Relief and humanitarian traffic would be handled through the hubs in Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, depending on the origin of the goods.

Meanwhile, Jordan would also be used as the only gateway for commercial cargo.

DHL said services had been resumed as quickly as possible in order to help the Iraqi people in the rebuilding of the country’s infrastructure and economy, and would significantly improve the transportation of humanitarian aid.