DHL Express enhances Asia Pacific network
DHL saw 6% more shipments move between Asia Pacific and other continents through its network for 1st 9 months of 2024.

DHL Express has bolstered its aviation network and ground facilities with significant enhancements across Asia Pacific in the past year.
"Comparing the first three quarters of 2023 and 2024, DHL Express moved around six percent more shipments between Asia Pacific and the rest of the world this year, proving that Asia Pacific will continue to play a bigger vital role in global trade," says an official release.
Ken Lee, CEO, Asia Pacific, DHL Express says: "Asia Pacific markets are facing significant growth boosted by diversification of global supply chains, structural tailwinds and e-commerce. Thanks to our forward planning, we are well-positioned to respond to these shifts in demand with the timely and strategic enhancements we have made across the region. These enhancements also put us in an excellent position to support our customers during the traditional peak season where consumer e-commerce traffic will spike."
Southeast Asia's growth demand
With its young and skilled workforce, several trade agreements and focus on innovation, the Southeast Asia region is one of the fastest-growing destinations for international traders looking to diversify their supply chains, the release added.
"DHL Express has expanded several key facilities in the region to keep pace with increased trade. It upgraded the South Asia Hub located near Changi Airport, Singapore to cater for anticipated volume growth, which stood at more than 20 percent in 2021 and 2022. Playing an essential role in DHL Express's multi-hub strategy for Asia Pacific, the South Asia Hub leverages Singapore's position as a key logistics hub to serve shipments destined for Europe, Americas, Asia and Oceania. Upgrades to the Hub include the deployment of new X-ray screening machines that raise scanning capacity by close to 30 percent and enhancements made to the existing material handling system that increase sorting capacity by almost 40 percent."
The South Asia Hub is also home to five DHL-owned Boeing 777 freighters operated by Singapore Airlines under a crew and maintenance agreement, the release added. These aircraft offer an additional payload capacity of over 1,200 tonnes, optimising transit times between the Americas and Asia as well as bridging trade between the continents. The new Boeing 777s consume 18 percent less fuel compared to the legacy B747-400s – reducing DHL's Scope 1 emissions.
In October 2024, DHL Express opened the advanced gateway in Kuala Lumpur, supporting Malaysia's prominence as a sourcing destination, particularly for electric and electronics manufacturing. "With an investment of around €60 million, the expanded facility spans over 13,000 square metres, and is equipped with a fully automated sorting system. It is also constructed in accordance with DHL Group's guidelines for a carbon-neutral building, where solar panels, energy-efficient systems for water and electricity are installed across the complex."
In September, a new direct flight from Hong Kong to Jakarta was introduced to further improve transit time and customer service quality, the release added.
"We take a proactive approach to continuously adapt our network and enhance our service quality," says Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. "Our customers today have diverse needs, and our robust international network will help connect them to global markets and drive new growth opportunities in the region. International trade remains integral to the world economy and we will continue to play a central role to that."
Scaling capacity in North, East and South Asia
DHL Express inaugurated its Hong Kong West Service Centre to enhance the special administrative region's connectivity as the city gears up to meet growing trade demand. The facility can handle over 50,000 shipments a day and has earned the LEED gold status – a globally recognised green building certification programme, the release added.
"In the first quarter of 2024, DHL Express and Japan Airlines also strengthened their partnership with a wider air network connecting Japan, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei. This demonstrates DHL Express's ability to be agile and commitment to raising service reliability and efficiency standards."
India is one of the countries with the largest increases in its share of world trade, according to the latest DHL Global Connectedness Tracker. Recognising the need to cater to the growing demand for logistics services, DHL Express invested and opened its first automatic shipment shorting hub in New Delhi, the release added.