DHL is expanding its Airfreight Plus network into Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) despite a challenging regional economic outlook and sanctions on Russia. The carrier announced that the new locations are in response to, \u201ca switch from overnight demand to more economical distribution solutions, and thus an increasing demand for our DHL Airfreight Plus product,\u201d explained Ingo-Alexander Rahn, global head of airfreight for DHL Global Forwarding.
\nThe move reflects ongoing confidence in Russia\u2019s airfreight potential, despite dwindling prospects on the ground. While the commodities glut has the post-Soviet region\u2019s economy on its back-heels, and economic sanctions are exacerbating these conditions in Russia, airfreight stands to benefit from surging demand for e-commerce, and luxury items remain as popular as ever in cosmopolitan centers, such as Moscow, where wealthy consumers live. Both Russian and CIS markets require airfreight delivery that is often sourced internationally due to limited domestic manufacturing capacity. In addition, Moscow has succeeded in creating a cost-effective hub for airfreight moving between China and the EU.
\nBy integrating Moscow and other yet to be disclosed Russian cities into the DHL Airfreight Plus network, the company increases its reach to 54 countries in Europe and Asia.\u00a0 The carrier plans to fully integrate the new cities into its network by the end of 2016.
\nDHL\u2019s freight service offers intra-European or intra-Asian door-to-door air transportation for cargo weighing up to two tonnes. The service is offered through more than 11,000 daily departures across Europe and Asia with DHL\u2019s fleet, as well as commercial carriers.
\nSource: aircargoworld<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"