DHL Express is continuing to invest in India with the opening of a $25 million Bangalore airterminal and plans further facilities despite a slowdown in its double-digit growth rates in the
country.The express operator and its domestic air unit Blue Dart Aviation have inaugurated anintegrated air terminal at Bangalore International Airport to strengthen their network in southernIndia. The 220,000 sq ft (20,440 sqm) is expected to provide faster clearance and seamless handlingof inbound and outbound international and domestic shipments, with throughput times cut by 60minutes.
Malcolm Monteiro, DHL Express senior vice president South Asia, told Indian media that thecompany had decided not to delay the opening of the building despite the slowdown in the Indianmarket in recent months. DHL Express India international volume growth is down from about 21% in2007 to 15% this year, while the express market growth has slowed from 19% in 2007 to about 10%-12%this year.
DHL Express and domestic subsidiary Blue Dart are planning to build similar integratedfacilities at other Indian airports in the near future to leverage their market strength and expandtheir business, Monteiro said. Hyderabad would be the next location, while new facilities are underconsideration for Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
DHL has already undertaken various expansion measures in India this year, including theopening of a new service centre in Kolkata, a retail sales agreement and the launch oftime-definite air and road services from India to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Blue Dart has expandedflight capacity but seen profits drop due to higher costs.
