- Gradual replacement of older aircraft by most fuel-efficient and technically reliable freighter type airplanes
- Options for delivery of additional seven planes to support cross-border e-commerce business as a profitable growth driver for DHL Express
- Continuous investments will allow DHL to meet increasing global express dmand and serve even more markets with non-stop flights
Farnborough/Bonn, July 16, 2018: At the Farnborough International Airshow, DHL Express
announced today that the world’s leading international express service provider has placed an
order for 14 Boeing 777 Freighters, which also includes options and purchase rights for 7
additional aircraft. The delivery of the first four planes is expected to be completed in 2019.
“The acquisition of the 14 Boeing airplanes reflects a gradual replacement of our older
intercontinental fleet. As the most fuel-efficient, most reliable freighter type with the best long-
haul range, these aircraft will contribute to our emissions reduction targets and allow us to serve
even more markets with non-stop flights. DHL was an early adopter of this type of aircraft for the
logistics industry and took delivery of the 3rd B777F produced by Boeing in 2009. With
extensive experience operating this freighter type, it has proven to be superior in all aspects of
operation making it a logical choice,” explains Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express.
Overall, these 14 intercontinental plane replacements are capacity neutral, but operational wise
with significant cost, efficiency and reliability benefits. And, while DHL Express in the past has
chiefly been leasing aircraft to operate its global network on the routes, the purchase of fully
owned freighter aircraft will improve the cost position of the DHL Express division going forward.
For 2018, pre-payments have already been included in the group Capex guidance.
Expanding cross-border e-commerce sales will grow to $4.48 trillion by 2021, which means a
growth of 19.2 per cent per year. DHL’s investment in the 777 Freighters is a direct answer to
the growing demand for global express capacity. Being the largest twin-engine cargo airplanes
in the world, Boeing’s 777 Freighters are capable of flying 4,900 nautical miles (9,070
kilometers) with a cargo load of 102 tons.
These state-of-the-art aircraft will reduce CO2 emissions by 18 per cent versus the aircraft
being replaced. This will help us to contribute to greater sustainability in line with our climate
protection target which is to reduce all logistics-related emissions to zero by the year 2050.
DHL Express operates over 260 dedicated aircraft with 17 partner airlines on over 600 daily
flights across 220 countries.