DHL invests in new routes and freighters; cargo tonnages partially rebound

DHL Supply Chain has partnered with Levu Air Cargo to launch a domestic air transport solution for cargo in Brazil. The project, which will receive an investment of €90.5 million ($98 million), includes four cargo aircraft, the first of which will begin operating in May 2024. Initially, the flights will operate on the route Campinas (SP) – Manaus (AM), daily, and Campinas (SP) – Recife (PE), with three departures per week. The addition of Levu as a facilitating partner is, according to DHL, will help flight operations and all air procedures: “The partners will also share the capacity of each flight, with occupancy priority in case of vacancy. This route will also be used by the other business units of the DHL group in Brazil - DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Express - which will have the Levu/DHL Supply Chain lines as a domestic partner to connect the international shipments transported by them"". “This project brings together three fundamental aspects of a solid and efficient logistics operation: partner specialization, excellent operational capacity, and guaranteed service level” said Solon Barrios, vice president of transport at DHL Supply Chain. “In addition, we will also offer good frequency and the possibility of connections to other cities and countries. With this, we want more and more companies to access the already known benefits of the air transport, especially taking into account the continental dimensions of Brazil.” The project will utilise four Airbus aircraft - two A330-300P2F (Passenger to Freighter) aircraft with a capacity of 59 tonnes, and two A321-200PCF P2F with a capacity of 27 tonnes. The partners plan to transport up to 4000 tonnes per month in the first year of operation, reaching 10000 tonnes by the end of 2025. Meanwhile, air cargo demand from South and Central America is down 3% the last two weeks compared to the previous two weeks (2W02W), but is up 11% year on year (YoY). Chargeable weight is also down 15% on a 2Wo2W basis, and also down 5% YoY. However, the cargo rate has increased by 2% 2Wo2W, despite being down 4% YoY. These figures, from WorldACD Market Data, also show that Air Cargo demand from Asia Pacific origin points partially rebounded last week, following the dip in tonnages around Labour Day holidays and Japan’s Golden Week in the first few days of May. Although tonnages from some origin regions have yet to bounce back and Asia Pacific’s partial rebound is weaker than it was in the equivalent week last year, global and Asia Pacific tonnages remain higher this year overall. Reflecting the declines in tonnages around Labour Day holidays, the combined global tonnages of the last two weeks are down by (-7%) compared with the previous two weeks, although they are up +9%, YoY.