DHL Express will expand transpacific flights in March with the introduction of two more B747-400freighters operating between North Asia and the USA.
Polar Air, in which DHL holds a 49% stake, will put the B747-400Fs into service on its ACMIexpress network service for the benefit for DHL Express, parent company Atlas Air WorldwideHoldings (AAWW) announced yesterday. Flights will be operated by Polar’s sister company AtlasAir.
DHL Express spokesman Jörg Wiedemann told CEP-Research that the two planes would operate a newroute. This would comprise a triangular service from Japan via South Korea to northern China andback to Japan, followed by the transpacific leg to the US West Coast and back to Japan. “The twofreighters will operate the route so that it can be a daily service,” he explained.
Polar already operates regular scheduled transpacific services for DHL Express with six B747-400freighters flying between the USA (Cincinnati and Los Angeles) and Hong Kong, Shanghai andSeoul.
William J. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAWW, said: “This placement reflectsthe continuing growth of DHL’s global express business and our proven ability to support customergrowth initiatives by delivering global operating scale and consistent service excellence. The twoadditional 747 freighters that are going into service for DHL are incremental to the six 747-400Fsthrough which we are currently providing express network ACMI service to DHL.”
Thomas Murphy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Polar, noted: “2010 was ayear in which we delivered extraordinary on-time performance to our customer, DHL, and our othervaluable freight-forwarding partners. We have an excellent track record and relationship with ourcustomers, and we are delighted to provide expanded service in support of DHL’s strategic growthinitiatives.”
DHL Express bought a 49% stake in Polar Air Cargo for $150 million in 2007 and launched a20-year blocked-space capacity agreement with the airline in 2008.
