DHL Express routinely uses third-party carriers for transport on certain routes, and now for the first time will employ a Chinese airline, Central Airlines, for flights to China. In this arrangement, the German company will entrust the Chinese company with two of its B777F aircraft, which will display the logos of both companies. Central Airlines will provide the crews, maintenance, and insurance. According to Cargo Facts, this service will commence by the end of 2024.
"China is not just the world's factory but also a global market and remains the largest shipper on the transpacific trade routes to North America in the DHL Express network, as well as Europe's largest trading partner," explains Travis Cobb, EVP Global Network Operations and Aviation at DHL Express. "The collaboration with Central Airlines is part of our long-term investment in aviation in China to continue developing new routes, increasing route flexibility, and optimizing our air network."
Annie Hou, President of Central Airlines, adds: "This collaboration fits well with our current B777 cargo operations planning. With the two additional B777s, we will provide greater capacity to support DHL Express and contribute to the development of cross-border e-commerce and the promotion of the Chinese supply chain and Chinese companies going abroad."
