DHL has expanded its air network with an Aerologic route linking the UAE to Asia and Europe. Aerologic, the joint venture cargo airline of DHL Express and Lufthansa Cargo, will operate a B777F flight between Leipzig and Hong Kong with a connection in Sharjah, the third largest emirate of the UAE.

“This Aerologic flight route via the UAE will boost our air network capacity on an increasingly important tradelane,” said John Pearson, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Asia and Europe have strong trade relations with the Middle East and China will play an increasingly important role in trade with the UAE. In 2009, China emerged as the top trading partner of the UAE with 12.9 per cent of total imports into the Emirates originating from China.”

“With its strategic location, the UAE is an excellent location as a logistics distribution centre in the global supply chain. The Aerologic flight connection enables DHL’s customers to enjoy improved transit times with the one day service from Asia to UAE and two days to the EU,” added Ian Carey, VP DHL Aviation, Express Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Aerologic took delivery of two additional B777F aircraft in December 2009. With a fleet of four, it is currently the largest operator of B777Fs worldwide. Aerologic expects delivery of four more B777F aircraft in 2010, with deliveries in June, July, September and November.