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DHL Express launches Shenzhen-Leipzig direct air route
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New route lifts South China-Europe air cargo capacity by over 500 metric tons a week
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Air cargo on the route will be carried by AeroLogic, a 50-50 joint venture between DHL and Lufthansa Cargo that operates six weekly round trips
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Chinese analysts say the improved logistics system will cut manufacturing and logistics costs while bolstering China’s global product competitiveness
DHL Express has launched a new airfreight route from the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen to Leipzig, a major industrial center in eastern Germany, China Daily reported on April 15.
The new service, described as a boost to air cargo capacity from South China to Europe, will have a weekly freight capacity of more than 500 metric tons.
DHL Express said air cargo coursed through the route will be carried by AeroLogic, an airfreight liner that operates six weekly round trips using Boeing 777 all-cargo aircraft.
AeroLogic, based in Schkeuditz near Leipzig, is a 50-50 joint-venture between DHL and Lufthansa Cargo, which operates scheduled international and long-haul cargo services out of its hubs Leipzig/Halle Airport and Frankfurt Airport.
Analysts quoted by China Daily said the newly launched route will further promote trade between China and Europe.
Chinese researcher Zhou Xibing said the improved logistics system will reduce the country’s manufacturing and logistics costs while bolstering its global product competitiveness.
“Improved air capacity will further increase Chinese companies’ global expansion while effectively solving the logistics backlog and other uncertainties caused by current geopolitical tensions,” said Zhou, who has written extensively on Chinese firms’ internationalization.
He said a more accessible logistics system will make up for the short stack of Chinese logistics players overseas, while Chinese firms can learn from advanced logistics management experiences to further enhance operations abroad.
Shenzhen is a national research and development hub and manufacturing center for electronics, high-tech equipment, auto parts, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Thus, its strong demand for aviation logistics services, and further promote economic and trade ties between South China and Europe, according to Shenzhen Baoan International Airport.
China Daily said Clara Yang, director of DHL Express Shenzhen Gateway, is confident of the operations of the new route.
“The Shenzhen gateway is one of the most important transit centers DHL Express operates in China, while the Leipzig hub is one of the three continental hubs in our global network,” Yang was quoted as saying.
Yang said that the COVID-driven accelerated growth of cross-border e-commerce and the strong air cargo demand from customers in Shenzhen and its neighboring areas will be served better by DHL Express.
“We will continue the cooperation with Shenzhen Airport Group (operator of Shenzhen Baoan Airport) to introduce more routes according to market demand.”
Last October, DHL Express launched a new international air cargo route linking Shenzhen and Los Angeles, California, boosting the transportation of goods between the Asia-Pacific region and North America.
DHL Express operates more than 30 international air cargo routes from Shenzhen so far, it said.
