DHL Express, a global logistics service provider, said Thursday it has upgraded to the Airbus A330-300, which has a bigger capacity.
The company said its new aircraft is capable of carrying 55 tons, 31 percent higher than the 42 tons of the A300. It said the upgrade is part of its “continued investment” in its Philippine operations to cater to the demands of the market.
It will use the aircraft for the 12 weekly flights that will serve the Hong Kong-Manila-Cebu-Manila-Hong Kong route.
“We continue to invest in our business in the Philippines and we are proud to bring these improvements to the country,” said Nigel Lockett, Country Manager for DHL Express Philippines.
“Our new and larger aircraft is a firm commitment to serving our customers and ensure that we are prepared to support their growth at a global scale and respond to the needs and demands of the market.”
DHL Express did not disclose figures, but he said electronic commerce (e-commerce) remains as the company’s “source of growth.”
“This sector (e-commerce) is actually spurring growth for our business, including the deliveries because these are individuals ordering online,” Roderick Queppet, Head of Commercial at DHL Express Philippines told reporters on the sidelines of the company’s aircraft tour in Pasay City.
Other sectors that are driving the company’s growth are tech, automotive, and retail, particularly the overseas Filipino workers who tap the services of the company to send items to their relatives.
Apart from upgrading the size of its aircraft, the logistics firm said it aims to operate at an earlier schedule to accommodate more shipments.
In fact, DHL said inbound flights to Manila now arrive 15 hours earlier. Arrivals in Cebu are earlier by nine hours, which means shipments arrive in the morning.
“This greatly benefits international shippers in the Philippines and will support our fast-growing market,” said Queppet.
Promod George, senior director for operations at DHL Express Philippines, said adding more aircraft is “always something to look at” depending on demand, capacity and the routes that DHL flies for.
According to DHL, its aircraft is part of a 15-year-agreement that it has entered into with AHK Air Hong Kong Limited and Cathay Pacific to enable overnight air delivery services and support express services for the Asia Pacific region until 2033.
“We consistently upgrade and enhance our air and ground infrastructure to ensure our customers can get faster international deliveries,” George said.
DHL Express’ logistics services range from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management.
The logistics firm said it has about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories across the globe.