DHL to upgrade European express air fleet with 13 new planes

DHL Express, the world’s leading cross-border express services provider, is modernizing its European air fleet to increase efficiency and reduce emissions.

The company has acquired thirteen Airbus A300-600 passenger aircraft, which will be converted to freighter configuration by EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden, Germany. The new aircraft will be fully integrated into the European fleet by early 2013 and will replace the older A300B4-200 model, which is reaching retirement age.  Bryan Jamison, Managing Director Network Operations Europe at DHL Express, said: “The A300-600 is a very attractive mid-range aircraft and the perfect fit for our European air network. By introducing this aircraft now we can ensure continuously high reliability and ontime performance for the years to come, while we are also able to take a big leap ahead towards our goal of reducing our carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2020.”

Compared to its predecessor, the A300-600 offers completely new and modern technology. With approximately 49 tons payload, it can carry up to five tons more than the A300-B4-200 while at the same time having a 900 kilometers longer range and with up to 20 percent less fuel consumption. In addition, the aircraft has similar external dimensions and the same cross section and main deck cargo door as its predecessor, which means that DHL can keep current handling procedures and will avoid additional trainings for ground staff.

The first aircraft is scheduled to enter the conversion line in early June, with arrival at DHL’s Leipzig Hub planned for October. The entire fleet of 13 A300-600 aircraft will be fully integrated into DHL’s European air network by early 2013.

DHL is continuously strengthening its global network to enable customers to send express shipments to almost any destination in the world. DHL currently serves 85 airports across Europe with 92 planes, providing the most extensive air express connectivity in Europe. Globally, the company connects more than 500 airports with a fleet of 250 dedicated aircraft.