DHL Express Expands US Service to Middle East, Asia

DHL Express is adding flights connecting the U.S., Middle East and Asia, dedicating a new Boeing 747-400F to its intercontinental routes.

The 747-400F, operated by Polar Air Cargo, will connect the DHL Cincinnati hub with the German express package carrier’s hubs in Bahrain and Hong Kong.

The plane will provide an additional 80 tons of cargo capacity on those routes to meet growing demand from U.S. businesses, DHL Express said.

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The overnight flight to Bahrain will give U.S. exporters in the oil and gas, technology and other fields additional capacity, said Iain Clough, CEO for DHL Express U.S.

They will be able to reach key Middle East markets much more quickly, he said. From Bahrain, the 747-400F will fly to Hong Kong, and then back to Cincinnati.

A record expansion of U.S. exports is encouraging international transport operators to build stronger and deeper links with supply chains in the U.S. heartland.

DHL Freight last week purchased a less-than-truckload carrier in the U.S. Midwest while French freight forwarder Geodis Wilson acquired a truck broker.

-- Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @wbcassidy_joc.