DHL Global Forwarding is strengthening its position on the Asia–Europe corridor by expanding controlled airfreight capacity through closer integration with DHL Express operations.
The forwarder has introduced new weekly flights connecting Shanghai to Leipzig, alongside a Liège–Hong Kong route that includes a stopover in Tel Aviv. Both services are operated using Boeing 777F aircraft and provide onward distribution across Europe.
The move reflects continued strong demand on the Asia–Europe trade lane, one of the most dynamic and strategically important corridors in global air cargo.
Henk Venema, global head of airfreight at DHL Global Forwarding, said the expansion reinforces the company’s focus on reliability, speed and network resilience, particularly as demand continues to grow.
Leipzig’s role as a central DHL Express hub makes it a natural gateway for European distribution, supported by robust infrastructure and operational efficiency. Meanwhile, the Liège–Hong Kong connection is designed to maintain service continuity in a challenging geopolitical environment.
The initiative also highlights DHL’s broader strategy of leveraging internal synergies between divisions. By aligning Global Forwarding and Express capabilities, the group is aiming to offer more integrated and flexible logistics solutions.
Further expansion is already planned, including increased transpacific capacity between Southeast Asia and the United States later in the year.
The move comes amid a wider industry trend, with other European carriers such as Lufthansa Cargo also increasing capacity toward Asia in response to sustained demand.
