DHL Express adds capacity for Q4 peak

DHL Express is investing over €100m in transport and handling capacity to meet expected demand during the fourth quarter peak season.

Investment in aviation capacity in the fourth quarter of 2024 includes the introduction of additional large and medium widebody aircraft and supplementary flights with existing aircraft, particularly on intercontinental routes, said the company.

DHL Express expects a high-level volume increase, in particular on the China outbound lane to the rest of the world during the upcoming peak season.

The company is investing in eight new Boeing 777 freighters on transpacific and intercontinental routes between Asia and Europe.

DHL has also invested in additional handling and sorting capacity in its ground network, including in its aviation facilities in Copenhagen, Cologne, Paris, Atlanta, Brussels and East Midlands in the UK to allow for more flexible flying schedules and the ability to reroute cargo in the event of heavy demand or supply chain disruption. 

Next to a continued gradual B2B shipment volume recovery, DHL Express expects e-commerce to remain a driving force behind the increase in volumes on intercontinental lanes between Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Americas.

Although the numbers have realigned with pre-pandemic forecasts, worldwide e-commerce sales are expected to grow by 8.8% in 2024 and continue to grow as a share of total retail sales, said DHL. 

“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,” said John Pearson, chief executive at DHL Express.

“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 optimize 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 maximize the resilience of our global network and make our customers successful during a demanding 2024 peak.” 

DHL Global Forwarding’s latest market outlook indicates that geopolitical conditions will drive up air cargo rates through the end of 2024.

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