DHL Express gets to work on US hub scheme

Photo: DHL Group

DHL Express has started construction of a 305,000sq ft aircraft maintenance facility and expanded aircraft apron at its Cincinnati hub.

The integrator says the $292 million facility at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport will reduce aircraft downtime and improve reliability while the expansion of the apron with eight new gates will allow more aircraft to be handled and increase the volume of shipments handled.

The enlarged facility is expected to be fully operational by January 2026.

The carbon-neutral aviation maintenance hangar will be built on an additional 50 acres being leased by DHL and will have space for two Boeing-777s side by side. It also allows line maintenance activities to take place under cover and will be used to maintain DHL’s 737s, 767s, and 777s.

DHL Express will also take on 300 new employees at the new maintenance facility as part of its joint venture with service partner Kalitta Air.

DHL Express executive vice-president of global aviation, Rob Hyslop said: “We have been enhancing our network capabilities with newer and more fuel-efficient aircraft, and this new facility complements those efforts with additional space for more aircraft to be maintained at the same time. This translates into faster turnaround times, making the fleet more efficient to handle a growing volume of shipments.”

DHL Express Americas chief executive, Andrew Williams, commented: “By enhancing our operational capabilities, we are not only reducing delays and ensuring faster service but also expanding our capacity to meet the growing needs of our customers with even greater efficiency and reliability.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear added: “This expansion not only brings new jobs to the region but also strengthens Kentucky’s position as the premier logistics hub in the US. Thank you to the leaders at DHL for their continued commitment.”

DHL’s Cincinnati hub currently operates on 194 acres with 67 aircraft parking gates and 6.4 million sq ft of ramp area. It handles 117 daily flights and a fleet of 64 aircraft and is one of three DHL global super-hubs, along with Hong Kong and Germany.

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