Maintaining its momentum from last year, DB Schenker is expanding its own-controlled charter flights with the introduction of a new service that connects America, Europe and Asia directly.

The new route runs from Chicago (RFD) via Munich (MUC) to Tokyo (NRT) and Seoul (ICN) before flying back to Germany and from there again to the US. This is the first charter service that connects three continents for the forwarder, as other services only run two continents, Payload Asia learned.

The first of two routings from MUC is operated by National Airlines and will offer a combined weekly transport capacity of 400 tonnes. A second connection will be launched at the end of February and alternates from Munich to Chennai (MAA) and Chicago (RFD), with a combined weekly capacity of 300 tonnes.

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DB Schenker said the new offer comes in addition to the block space agreements the forwarder holds with airline partners, and is in response to the ongoing lack of freight capacity on passenger flights.

“As air passenger travel is still far from recovery, we have decided to create new and reliable cargo options for our customers. I am especially excited about our new routes via Munich Airport. Our existing and strong flight network will become even more global,” said Thorsten Meincke, member of the management board for Air and Ocean Freight at Schenker.

The forwarder’s air charter services are operated with B747 and B777 full freighters, with 43 weekly flights that can transport as much cargo as 135 wide-body passenger aircraft would hold, it noted.

In 2020, the number of flights controlled and marketed by DB Schenker rose to a record high. It cited medical supply products, including Covid-19 vaccines, as well as the increase in air cargo volume for automotive equipment and consumer goods due to capacity shortages, to drive the demand for the coming year.