DHL Express has relocated its Cebu gateway to a larger 3,875-square-meter facility at Mactan Cebu International Airport to meet rising shipment demand from the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
The move comes as Eastern Visayas posted a 45.5-percent year-on-year export increase in January 2025, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.
“This new Cebu Gateway underscores our commitment to delivering the best service, particularly in the VisMin region. It expands our reach to support businesses and contribute to economic growth,” said DHL Express Philippines country manager Nigel Lockett.
The upgraded facility enhances sorting efficiency, with inbound and outbound capacities of 825 and 320 pieces per hour, respectively.
It features 100-percent direct loading positions, advanced shipment imaging and checkpoint scanning, and eco-friendly measures such as LED lighting, inverter air conditioning, high-volume low-speed fans and skylights for natural ventilation.
“The location offers direct access to airside and landside areas, enabling faster movement from aircraft to the gateway,” said DHL Express Philippines vice president for operations Thilaga Vathy Rajoo.
“This will improve service center sorting, allow earlier courier departures, and potentially extend pickup times,” said Rajoo.
The company said that with daily inbound and outbound flights serving Cebu, the new gateway boosts DHL’s capacity while sustaining same-day flight schedules and quick transit times.
A DHL Trade Atlas 2025 study with NYU Stern School of Business forecasts the Philippines among the top 30 countries for trade growth from 2024 to 2029.
