Mark Szakonyi | Sep 12, 2011 4:31PM EDT
DHL Express will expand its fleet to 11 freighters with a multi-year agreement with Southern Air to operate three 777 all-cargo aircraft, allowing the German carrier to speed transit time on growing major routes between the Americas, Asia and the Middle East.
DHL said the first freighter went into operation on Aug. 15 connecting hubs in Cincinnati, Bahrain, and Hong Kong.
“This new flight’s intercontinental route from Hong Kong to the U.S. gives DHL customers later pickup times out of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta and next-day delivery into the U.S., Canada and much of the Americas region,” said Jerry Hsu, regional CEO for DHL AsiaPacific.
Southern Air expects to receive the two remaining 777s in spring 2012. With the new planes, the Connecticut-based company will operate four 777 freighters, which will complement its fleet of 11 747-200s.
-- Contact Mark Szakonyi at mszakonyi@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @Szakonyi_JOC
