DHL Express, an international express service provider, said it bolstered its flight network to serve growing demand between the Philippines and the rest of the world.
Air Hong Kong added a sixth flight rotation to the route powered by the A300-600: Hong Kong-Cebu-Manila-Hong Kong. The additional flight operates every Friday and supports export and import cargo shipment to and from the Philippines.
DHL Express now operates six dedicated flights between Hong Kong, Cebu and Manila from Monday through Saturday each week with expanded capacity and improved deliveries for both outbound and inbound shipments.
“DHL Express remains committed to support our customers in growing their global footprint and entering new markets. We are investing close to EUR 750 million in our ground infrastructure and air network in Asia Pacific to ensure we respond nimbly to changing market needs,” said Ken Lee, chief executive of DHL Express Asia Pacific.
“As economies recover from the global pandemic and income levels rise, we expect intra-Asia market to grow substantially, with a corresponding increase in demand for express logistics services propelled by the thriving e-commerce sector,” said Lee.
The new dedicated flight provides additional 50 tons capacity each week, allowing DHL Express Philippines to support customers in the peak season. Inbound shipments for the Hong Kong-Cebu-Manila route will arrive earlier in the Philippines, enabling faster local delivery while export cargo will depart Friday evening, further improving connections to all parts of the world.
“Our latest operational enhancement offers increased capacity to our customers in the Philippines and faster delivery to their customers, which is a big advantage as we all gear up for the peak season. DHL will continue to invest in our air and ground infrastructure to better serve our customers’ needs,” said Promod George, senior director for operations at DHL Express Philippines.
The aircraft is one of the cargo planes purchased by DHL from Air Hong Kong and leased back to the carrier as part of a 15-year arrangement to assist DHL's rapid growth in the Asia Pacific area.
The aircraft deployment is part of DHL's ongoing investments in its air network, which continues to enhance its Asia Pacific network and offers DHL Express Philippines' customers timely and reliable time-definite international express service.
DHL said the pandemic and pandemic-related restrictions further accelerated online sales growth, with Asia Pacific leading the charge. In 2020, e-commerce comprised half of the retail sales in Asia Pacific, and is expected to grow by 10 percent to 61 percent in 2025.
This growth can be attributed in part to social e-commerce – the business of selling goods online through people’s social networks – particularly in China and emerging countries in Southeast Asia such as the Philippines.
The e-commerce sector in the Philippines saw a surge in the midst of the pandemic, contributing 3.4 percent, or $12 billion, to the country’s GDP in 2020, with the goal to increase e-commerce revenue to $24 billion, or 5.5 percent of GDP, by 2022.
DHL Express’ Asia Pacific air network operates on a multi-hub strategy, supported by four main hubs – Central Asia Hub in Hong Kong, North Asia Hub in Shanghai, South Asia Hub in Singapore and Bangkok Hub, linking to 50 DHL Express gateways in the region.
DHL Express operates over 280 dedicated aircraft with 15 partner airlines on over 2,200 daily flights across more than 220 countries and territories.