DHL Express has marked a significant milestone in its Asia Pacific operations with the completion of its re-fleeting program. With the arrival of its 14th A330 freighter and the retirement of its last A300-600 freighter, the company has transitioned to a modern fleet of A330 aircraft, operated and maintained by its long-time strategic partner, Air Hong Kong.
Air Hong Kong, the first all-cargo airline based in Hong Kong and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Cathay Group, began operating the A300-600F on behalf of DHL Express in 2004. Over the past 21 years, the aircraft has provided safe and reliable operations, carrying close to three million tonnes of express cargo and playing a vital role in strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global air cargo hub.
“The A300-600F has been a stalwart of Air Hong Kong’s fleet and an important part of our story for over two decades. Its contribution to not only our business, but to the Hong Kong international aviation hub as a whole, has been considerable and we fondly bid farewell to this valued member of our fleet as we enter this exciting new chapter,” said Clarence Tai, Chief Operating Officer of Air Hong Kong.
“The new-generation A330F brings with it considerable benefits that will enable us to further enhance our operations and services for our customers, and continue to play an important role in the ongoing growth of Hong Kong’s air cargo sector. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, the Cathay Group, our people, our suppliers and our key customer, DHL, for their firm support, which has made this re-fleeting plan possible.”
Air Hong Kong now operates a total of 14 A330 freighters—10 of which are A330-300P2Fs (passenger-to-freighter conversions), making it one of the largest operators of this aircraft type globally, and four A330-200Fs.
For DHL Express, the switch to the A330F represents a significant upgrade in payload capacity, fuel efficiency, and range. The newer aircraft provides 25% more payload, a longer range of 7,400 kilometres, and more efficient cargo loading options, enabling DHL to better serve growing markets across Asia Pacific.
“Balancing our customers and operational needs has always been top of mind for us. Our decision to re-fleet aircraft years ago reflects our foresight to invest in ourselves so that we are ever-ready to support our customers,” said Peter Bardens, Senior Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation – Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “The A300-600F was instrumental to our robust aviation network for many years. As we bid farewell to this valued member of our fleet, we are excited to welcome a new chapter with this new generation of freighters. We are confident that we will continue to deliver excellence in both our service capabilities and sustainability targets.”
With this move, DHL and Air Hong Kong reaffirm their commitment to building a resilient, efficient, and sustainable regional air cargo network to meet the growing demands of cross-border trade and express delivery in Asia Pacific.
