DHL Starts New Cargo Flights Between Asia and Europe

DHL Global Forwarding has announced the launch of new weekly flights aimed at increasing air cargo capacity between Asia and Europe. The new services will operate on the Shanghai–Leipzig and Hong Kong–Liège routes.

Implemented within the DHL Group, this initiative seeks to strengthen operational capabilities along the Asia–Europe trade corridor through the coordinated use of aviation resources from DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express.

Dedicated Cargo Capacity with Boeing 777F

With the start of the summer schedule, the flights will be operated using Boeing 777F freighter aircraft. The services will offer dedicated, managed cargo capacity exclusively for DHL Global Forwarding customers.

Shipments arriving in Leipzig from Shanghai will be distributed across the entire European network via Leipzig, which serves as DHL Express’s main air cargo hub in Europe. Germany’s central location and advanced infrastructure enable fast and efficient access to European markets for Asia-origin shipments.

Liège–Hong Kong Route Strengthens Access to East Asia

The Hong Kong–Liège route will be operated with a stopover in Tel Aviv. This structure ensures strong integration with the European distribution network while supporting operational continuity and broad geographic coverage. Liège Airport in Belgium plays a key role as a major international cargo hub, further enhancing access to East Asian markets.

Reliable Response to Growing Demand

According to Henk Venema, Global Head of Air Freight at DHL Global Forwarding, the capacity expansion addresses rising demand on the Asia–Europe trade lane. Venema emphasized that the managed capacity model enables more predictable flow management, higher reliability, and faster transit times.

Intra-Group Collaboration in Focus

The new flights form part of DHL Group’s broader strategy to enhance integration between its business divisions. Collaboration between DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express optimizes aircraft utilization while increasing operational flexibility.

Travis Cobb, EVP Global Network Operations and Aviation at DHL Express, stated that this integration strengthens network resilience and supports the continuity of global trade flows.

In addition to reinforcing the Asia–Europe corridor, DHL Group plans to further develop its intercontinental network by increasing air cargo capacity between Southeast Asia and the United States throughout the year.

Source: trasportoeuropa