DHL Express adds first of six B777Fs for 2020

DHL Express’ fleet renewal and e-commerce-led Strategy 2025 continues apace with the delivery of the first of six Boeing 777F-200 production line freighters which will touch down in 2020.

The first plane landed at its future base of operations, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and will be operated by DHL Express’ partner airline Kalitta.

In 2018 DHL ordered 14 Boeing 777F, with four delivered in 2019, six to come this year and the remaining four to be taken into service in 2021.

The renewal is part of the overall modernisation of the long-haul intercontinental fleet of the courier company and replaces older planes.

John Pearson, chief executive of DHL Express, said: “With the modernization of our intercontinental fleet, we can simultaneously enhance our proven ability to meet growing demand, improve our environmental footprint and deliver best quality service to our customers.

“DHL has made its mark time and time again with innovative solutions and technologies. We are pleased to continue demonstrating to partners and customers alike how these advancements stand to elevate the entire express logistics industry while bringing us closer to achieving our Strategy 2025 goals.”

Strategy 2025 focuses on e-commerce as a growth driver and efficiency for further increasing its profit.

Travis Cobb, executive vice president of global network operations and aviation at DHL Express, said: “We expect further growth in cross-border e-commerce trade and, as a result, increased demand for our express logistics services and expertise in intercontinental deliveries.

“With the new B777Fs, we can increase our intercontinental connections while reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption. This enables us to continue to provide customers with the excellent quality they’ve come to expect from us while we work to expand our global services.”

With a payload capacity of 102 tons and a range of 9,200 km, the B777F has the largest capacity and range of all twin-engine freighter aircraft. They are also more fuel-efficient, reliable than older planes and reducing CO2 emissions by 18%.

DHL Express operates over 260 dedicated aircraft with 17 partner airlines on over 3.000 daily flights across 220 countries and territories.