DHL Express is to invest $22.5 million to expand its US air hub facility at Cincinnati/NorthernKentucky airport to meet the growing demands of international shipping customers.
Starting in March 2011, DHL will build on 19 acres of land leased from the CVG Airport authorityto expand its existing aircraft parking apron and construct nine new aircraft gates. The expansionwill enable parking for nine additional wide-body aircraft that will connect the United States topoints in Asia, Europe and the Americas.
“As businesses increasingly go global to capitalise on emerging trends in international trade,the expansion at our CVG hub will position DHL to accommodate the growing needs of our importingand exporting customers,” said Ian Clough, CEO for DHL Express USA.
All new aircraft gates will include a hydrant jet refueling system for a more efficientrefueling operation as well as the capability to de-ice aircraft directly at the gate. Constructionwill continue through September 2011.
This is the second phase of a two-year, $40 million investment to enhance DHL operations at theCincinnati hub which includes equipment upgrades and various facility improvements. In October2010, DHL announced a $12.5 million project to upgrade existing hardware and software applicationsrunning its auto sort system, improving the speed and reliability of shipment scanning and sortingas volumes grow at the Cincinnati hub. The CVG hub handles about 90% of the DHL volume that entersthe USA.
DHL said the investment represents its continued commitment to the US market, which is a keycomponent of its global network. In the past two years, DHL restructured its US Express division,focusing on its core international shipping specialty and implementing an extensive CertifiedInternational Specialist training program to ensure all employees are experts in the intricacies ofinternational trade and transportation.
The company also added an entirely new selection of Time Definite import and export expressservices and flights to the USA from Paris and Frankfurt to further expand next-day service fromkey points in Western Europe.
