DHL has launched a new, additional round-the-world flight connecting Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Leipzig which it says will create a unique service proposition on key trade lanes between Asia and Western US and Canada.

The transit time capability between Asia and Western US and Canada will be market-leading, with a greater number of Asian origin locations, including key trade hubs Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila and a significant number of cities throughout China benefiting from next-day connection into Los Angeles and much of Western US and Canada, it said.

This represents the first time that customers in many Asian cities will be able to enjoy a one-day express delivery service with any carrier on this important intercontinental lane.

A new onward connection from Los Angeles direct to DHL’s European air hub in Leipzig, Germany, will enable customers in California including the key cities of Los Angeles, San Diego and
San Francisco to order a pick-up from a DHL courier up to three hours later than currently, for their European shipments.

A multi-year agreement with Southern Air Holding, announced in September 2011, to operate B777F freighters on intercontinental routes connecting the Americas, Asia and the Middle East has facilitated this increase in capacity and efficiency. The first of these roundthe- world routes – from Hong Kong to the Express hub in Cincinnati to Bahrain and back to Hong Kong – is already in operation. The additional freighters will bring the total number of B777F freighters in DHL’s global fleet to 12.

“The introduction of this new roundthe- world flight by DHL, will bring unrivalled benefits to our customers in all sectors in Asia, Europe the US and Canada, and deliver reduced transit times
on some of the world’s most important trade lanes,” said Ken Allen, CEO of DHL Express. “The additional capacity, range and reliability of the Boeing 777F freighters, as well as the increased fuel efficiency they bring to our fleet, will complement the significant investments we have already made in our global
network over the last year and reinforce DHL’s leading position in international time definite delivery.”

Jerry Hsu, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific, said: “Over the past decade, DHL has consistently invested in Asia Pacific to build network infrastructure and capability to serve our customers better.

Our new round-the-world capability from Hong Kong to Los Angeles, Leipzig and back offers customers in China and in key trade hubs across Asia Pacific, next-day connections into Western US and Canada, an unparalleled service in
the industry.”