DHL Express launches inaugural passenger-to-freighter A330-300 aircraft
KUALA LUMPUR: DHL Express, an international express services provider, has welcomed its first ever Airbus A330-300 aircraft at its Penang Gateway facility.
Malaysia is the first country in the world to operate the first of four A330-300s that would join the DHL Express fleet under a new passenger-to-freighter (P2F) deal with Elbe Flugzeugwerke (EFW), a joint venture between Airbus and Singapore Technologies Aerospace.
The flight would also be servicing the Vietnam and Hong Kong markets, DHL said in a statement yesterday.
With 33 per cent more freight capacity per flight, DHL Express aims to strengthen its delivery capabilities across its network, while enhancing its capacity to deliver more shipments than ever before.
“Asia Pacific is one of the fastest growing regions, driven by ecommerce trade. By welcoming our first A330-300 P2F aircraft, we are ready to service increasing ecommerce volumes from Malaysia, which is expected to show a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.9 per cent from now until 2022,” DHL Express Malaysia & Brunei managing director Christopher Ong said.
Ong said Malaysia’s trade performance is also forecast to maintain its growth momentum and hit RM1.8 trillion in 2018.
“Being the only logistics company in the world to own and operate the A330-300 P2F aircraft, DHL will be able to enhance service standards and match e-commerce merchants’ and buyers’ demands. “As we embrace the fourth industrial revolution, our improved capabilities will further support Malaysia’s economy by facilitating our customers’ access to the global markets,” he said.
The A330-300 P2F provides additional high-volume, low-density capacity in Malaysia with a gross payload of 61 tonnes.
It will import and export goods six times weekly from Penang to Hong Kong.
The converted A330-300 P2F features a range of updates, including reinforcements to its fuselage, floor structure, door frame shell, newly-installed safety barrier nets and a powered cargo loading system. These additional features will ensure the timely and safe delivery of all goods being shipped.