DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, has enhanced its international delivery capabilities in Ukraine with the launch of a new Boeing 737-300 cargo aircraft on the Kyiv – Leipzig – Kyiv route.

The DHL aircraft will carry out regular flights to DHL’s European hub, located in Leipzig/Halle Airport (Germany), connecting Ukraine with the company’s global transport network 5 days per week. The new aircraft has a payload of up to 12.5 tons, over the planned route which is over 30% higher than the effective capacity of the Antonov-12 aircraft previously operating on this route for DHL. It can also accommodate twice as much volume. More importantly, however, it will reduce the flight time between Leipzig and Kiev by over 35 minutes, ensuring an earlier arrival and later departure for DHL shipments. In an industry where every minute counts for the customer, this will significantly enhance the quality of DHL services in the Ukrainian market.

“Growth in business activity across the entire country, the development of international trade relations, and the expansion of Ukrainian companies into global markets require that the express delivery market provide simple, fast and effective solutions. The transition to using our own air fleet to and from Ukraine, and the increase in capacity of the new aircraft bring a new level of reliability and quality of service to the market. We will be able to adjust our aircraft operations to accommodate future increases in demand from the market by introducing even larger aircraft from our fleet where necessary. These developments will allow us to even better fulfill our obligations to DHL customers both in Ukraine and abroad. The new solution once again confirms the commitment of DHL Express to develop the express delivery market in Ukraine”, said Natalia Bochkova, Country Manager DHL Express Ukraine.

The Boeing 737 is one of the core aircraft in DHL’s European cargo air fleet. It complies with the strict quality, safety and environmental standards to which the company adheres. The aircraft is also equipped with a Category III C system that means it is able to operate in unfavorable weather conditions. The operation of a B737 by DHL Express Ukraine on its main connection to the international DHL network will allow the company to standardize its operational processes and broaden the service offering for its customers. The use of aircraft from its own European air fleet will further reinforce the service reliability and delivery performance of the company. In addition, the launch of a more efficient cargo aircraft is in line with  Deutsche Post DHL’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% (versus 2007 levels) by 2020.