DHL Express adds aviation capacity for demanding 2024 peak season
Investment of more than €100 million planned to increase shipping capacity, to deploy eight new Boeing 777 freighters
DHL Express is investing over €100 million in transport and handling capacity in the fourth quarter to support customers’ growth.
As part of the ongoing modernisation of its airfreight fleet, DHL Express will be initiating the deployment of eight new Boeing 777 freighters, says an official release.
"With an expected growth of 8.8 percent in 2024, worldwide e-commerce remains a driving force for volume growth while B2B shipment volume is gradually recovering. Despite ongoing uncertainties in the overall global economy, the company is adding aviation capacity and expanding its international parcel sorting and delivery network to ensure a successful peak for customers."
John Pearson, CEO, DHL Express says: “DHL Express is committed to remaining the partner of choice during the busy end-of-year peak season, which is often the most commercially important and operationally challenging time for many of our customers. Our flexible international network combines high quality service and reliable access to capacity, which allows businesses to react in real-time to changes in consumer demand, supplemented by digital tools that help them to improve the customer experience and optimise pick-up and final mile delivery.
"With ongoing volatility in global freight markets and a continued strong flow of e-commerce volumes, we are expecting a healthy surge in demand for express services in the fourth quarter. We are making the necessary investments to maximise the resilience of our global network and make our customers successful during a demanding 2024 peak.”
Adding capacity
The company is investing in eight new Boeing 777 freight aircraft on trans-Pacific and intercontinental routes between Asia and Europe, boosting capacity on these key lanes and continuing DHL’s transition to lower-emission transportation with newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, the release added. "The company has also invested in additional handling and sorting capacity in its ground network, including in its aviation facilities in e.g. Copenhagen, Cologne, Paris, Atlanta, Brussels and East Midlands (UK) to allow for more flexible flying schedules and the ability to reroute cargo in the event of heavy demand or supply chain disruption."
Sustainable operations
DHL Express was the first global express courier to give customers the opportunity to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using DHL GoGreen Plus Services, the release added. "Through cooperation with partners such as World Energy and Neste, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is used proportionately in the DHL Express aircraft fleet to reduce CO2e emissions. Based on the book and claim approach, the reductions achieved (Scope 3) are passed on to customers in the form of certificates."
