Lufthansa Cargo’s Boeing 777 freighters, with loading flaps measuring 3.15 meters by 3.72 meters, have transported a wide array of extraordinary cargo in 2024. From life-saving goods to heavy machinery and exotic animals, the airline’s fleet of 18 Boeing 777 freighters, the largest exclusive fleet of its kind, has covered around 300 destinations in over 100 countries.
Heavyweight Cargo
One of the heaviest shipments in 2024 was a 65-ton load for the automotive industry, transported from Viracopos, Brazil, to Frankfurt, and then to Malmö, Sweden. Additionally, a General Electric aircraft turbine, over 5 meters long and weighing 12 tons, was swiftly transported from Beijing to Frankfurt in November. The turbine required precise handling and was secured with 50 tension belts during the flight.
Animal Transports
Lufthansa Cargo’s Animal Lounge hosted over 80 million animals in 2024, including 2,800 horses, 14,000 pets, and 200 zoo animals. Notable transports included two Siberian tigers flown from Frankfurt to Almaty for release into the wild, and two pygmy hippos transported from Madrid to Mumbai. The airline also transported a rare red panda in a climate-controlled chamber.
Art and Culture
In March, Lufthansa Cargo transported the hip hop exhibition “THE CULTURE” from Chicago to Frankfurt, using sustainable aviation fuel to reduce CO₂ emissions. The Berggruen exhibition, featuring works by Picasso and Matisse, traveled from Germany to Japan and back to Europe, with 91 works transported in climate-controlled crates.
Life-Saving Vaccines
In November, Lufthansa Cargo delivered 100,000 Mpox vaccines from Brussels to Kinshasa, aiding efforts to contain the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This mission highlighted the airline’s commitment to global health and humanitarian relief.
Lufthansa Cargo continues to deliver diverse cargo, from tigers to turbines, with expertise and reliability, supporting global business and humanitarian efforts.
DHL Express has significantly bolstered its aviation network and ground facilities across the Asia Pacific region over the past year. The company reported a 6% increase in shipments between Asia Pacific and the rest of the world in the first three quarters of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, underscoring the region’s growing role in global trade.
Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express, stated, “Asia Pacific markets are facing significant growth boosted by diversification of global supply chains, structural tailwinds, and e-commerce. Thanks to our forward planning, we are well-positioned to respond to these shifts in demand with the timely and strategic enhancements we have made across the region.”
Southeast Asia’s Rising Trade Demand
Southeast Asia is emerging as a key player in global trade, attracting international traders with its skilled workforce and trade agreements. DHL Express has expanded several facilities in the region, including upgrading the South Asia Hub near Changi Airport, Singapore. The hub, part of DHL’s multi-hub strategy, now features enhanced X-ray screening and material handling systems, increasing scanning and sorting capacities by 30% and 40%, respectively.
The hub is supported by five DHL-owned Boeing 777 freighters operated by Singapore Airlines, offering over 1,200 tons of additional payload capacity and reducing carbon emissions by 18% compared to older models.
In October 2024, DHL Express opened an advanced gateway in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with a EUR60 million investment. The facility spans over 13,000 square meters and features a fully automated sorting system, supporting Malaysia’s prominence in electronics manufacturing.
Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express, said, “We take a proactive approach to continuously adapt our network and enhance our service quality. Our robust international network will help connect customers to global markets and drive new growth opportunities in the region.”
Strengthening Oceania’s Connectivity
DHL Express has enhanced connectivity in Oceania with a dedicated flight route between Sydney and Hong Kong, offering next-day delivery to several Asia-Pacific countries. The company also opened new ground facilities in Adelaide and Newcastle, Australia, improving transit times and providing direct air freight access.
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In New Zealand, DHL Express will open a new gateway in Christchurch, marking its largest investment in the country. The facility will be DHL Express’s first 100% carbon-neutral site in New Zealand, featuring a line sorter conveyor system to process up to 6,500 parcels per hour.
Scaling Capacity in North, East, and South Asia
DHL Express inaugurated the Hong Kong West Service Center, enhancing the region’s connectivity with a facility capable of handling over 50,000 shipments daily. In early 2024, DHL Express and Japan Airlines expanded their air network, connecting Japan, Seoul, Shanghai, and Taipei.
In India, DHL Express opened its first automatic shipment sorting hub in New Delhi, supporting the country’s growing export market. According to the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, India is among the countries with the largest increases in its share of world trade.
These strategic enhancements position DHL Express to support its customers during peak seasons and cater to the evolving demands of global trade.
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