DHL Expands U.S. Hub to Grow Global Service

Feb. 10, 2011
DHL, global logistics service providers, announced it will invest US $22.5 million to expand its hub facility at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport to meet the growing demands of international shipping customers

DHL, global logistics service providers, announced it will invest US $22.5 million to expand its hub facility at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport to meet the growing demands of international shipping customers.

Starting in March 2011, DHL will build on 19 acres of land leased from the CVG Airport authority to expand its existing aircraft parking apron and construct nine new aircraft gates. The expansion will enable parking for nine additional wide-body aircraft that will connect the United States to points in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

“As businesses increasingly go global to capitalize on emerging trends in international trade, the expansion at our CVG hub will position DHL to accommodate the growing needs of our importing and exporting customers,” said Ian Clough, CEO for DHL Express U.S.

All new aircraft gates will include a hydrant jet refueling system for a more efficient refueling operation as well as the capability to de-ice aircraft directly at the gate. Construction will continue through September 2011.

This is the second phase of a two year, $40 million investment to enhance DHL operations at the Cincinnati hub which includes equipment upgrades and various facility improvements. In October 2010, DHL announced a $12.5 million project to upgrade existing hardware and software applications running its auto sort system, improving the speed and reliability of shipment scanning and sorting as volumes grow at the Cincinnati hub. The CVG hub handles about 90% of the DHL volume that enters the U.S.

In the past two years, DHL restructured its U.S. Express division, focusing on its core international shipping specialty and implementing an extensive Certified International Specialist training program to ensure all employees are experts in the intricacies of international trade and transportation. The company also added an entirely new selection of Time Definite import and export express services and flights to the U.S. from Paris and Frankfurt to further expand next-day service from key points in Western Europe.