Global transport companies continue to show strong interest in the growing intra-Asia trade, as DHL and Cathay Pacific announce additional services to improve their presence in the region.
Germany’s DHL launched on November 3 a new intra-Asia flight connecting Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong in what it says is the first such one-day express service to and from Vietnam’s capital of Hanoi.
The new air network connects Bangkok, Hanoi, and Hong Kong five times per week, and will be operated by K-Mile Air of Thailand, a partner of DHL, utilizing a newly converted Boeing B737-400SF freighter with a gross payload of 21 tons.
The new route shortens the transit time for intra-Asia shipments to and from Hanoi to one day and eases congestion faced by DHL’s bustling hub in Hong Kong, according to a company release.
This new intra-Asia flight comes as DHL sees a further increase in trade opportunities within Asia.
“Based on a recent report by the International Monetary Fund, Asia is poised to spearhead the global economic recovery. Strong GDP growth has been forecast across the region with Vietnam achieving 5.6 percent, followed by Hong Kong (3.7 percent) and Thailand (2.5 percent),” said Jerry Hsu, CEO of DHL Express Asia Pacific.
“The new route is just one of the many investments by DHL to enhance our offerings and service standards in view of the enormous growth potential in Asia-Pacific,” added Sean Wall, executive vice president of network operations and aviation of DHL Express Asia Pacific.
DHL has been expanding its footprint in Asia, focusing particularly on emerging markets like Vietnam. In September, the company announced its biggest investment in the market to date—the launch of a US$10-million 2,500-square-meter service center in Ho Chi Minh City, the biggest of its kind in the country.
The express service giant said additional enhancements to its Asia air network are forthcoming. Starting November 7, the company will increase the frequency of its intra-Asia service connecting Penang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hong Kong from five to six days per week, increasing capacity on the route by 20 percent.
“This additional A300-600F service is part of DHL’s intra-Asia dedicated network which enables customers from Penang and Ho Chi Minh City to have requested Saturday delivery services to and from Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, and Bangkok,” it added.
Cathay Pacific opens Phnom Penh flight
On the other hand, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific Airways will introduce a new freighter service to Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, on November 23, 2014, to further strengthen the airline’s network within the Asia-Pacific region.
The scheduled service will operate twice a week on a Hong Kong-Singapore-Penang-Phnom Penh-Hong Kong routing.
“We are delighted to strengthen our already extensive network in Asia by operating scheduled freighter services to Cambodia for the first time,” said James Woodrow, Cathay Pacific’s director of cargo. “This new service to Phnom Penh will boost the flow of garments and other manufactured products out of Cambodia, taking advantage of our world-class facilities in Hong Kong to connect to our comprehensive cargo network.”
