DHL Express will launch a new European cargo airline based in Austria, while DHL Air UK will be evolved into an intercontinental carrier. The new airline will operate mainly intra-European cargo flights in support of further capacity growth and operational resilience.
On Tuesday (May 25, 2021), DHL announced that they will launch of a new European cargo airline based in Austria, which will mainly operate European cargo flights and support further capacity growth, while the current DHL Air UK will be evolved into an intercontinental carrier. The company is in the process of filing the appropriate applications with the Austrian authorities and hopes to launch operations later this year. The new airline will operate intra-European services with a fleet of Boeing 757 freighters, which will be transferred from DHL Air UK. The latter will develop into an intercontinental airline with expanded B767 operations and the addition of B777 freighters.
In Tuesday’s announcement, DHL Express’ EVP – Network Operations Europe, Roy Hughes, said,
“By expanding our airline platform, we are not just adapting to changing regulations, but also preparing our European network for further growth. To meet the high demand of our customers for cross-border Express deliveries we take these measures to continue providing them with sufficient Express capacity. With the planned structure, we will achieve both, a flexible and even more resilient airline network in Europe and a better global integration by increasing our intercontinental flights.”
Also commenting on the planned network changes, DHL Air UK’s Managing Director, Tom Mackle said,
“The United Kingdom has always been a crucial gateway to the world. With an increasing demand in international time definite deliveries this is today more valid than ever. The expansion of our intercontinental Express fleet in the UK by adding new B777s, the most modern and efficient freight aircraft, underlines our engagement and our commitment to meet changing customer needs, to continuously deliver excellent services and to also improve our carbon emissions footprint.”
Recently, DHL Express reported the strongest quarter in the company’s 50 year history, with the carrier expanding the volume of Time Definite International shipments (TDI) by more than 25 percent compared to the first quarter of 2020. With the network transformation, East Midlands-based DHL Air UK will increase capacity between the UK, the Americas and Asia with the addition of B767s and the introduction of new Boeing 777Fs, which are expected to commence operations in early 2022.
Source: DHL Express