MANILA, Philippines — DHL Express is expanding its global capabilities through new, next-day inter-continental flights between the US and the Middle East and Asia-Pacific to the US to meet increased demand along these trade lanes.

The new dedicated Boeing 747-400F plane operated by Polar Air Cargo will connect the DHL Cincinnati hub with the Bahrain and Hong Kong hubs, thus providing additional cargo capacity of 80 tons.

The direct US Bahrain flight will shorten delivery times for DHL customers by as much as one full day for shipments from the US to Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

"These ongoing improvements in the connectivity of our US operation along key trade lanes like the Middle East ensures continued service excellence for our customers while paving the way for profitable growth," said Ian Clough, CEO for DHL Express US.

"Being positioned in Bahrain, a key entry point to the Middle East, our new route will provide additional capacity for US exporters in the Oil and Gas, Technology, Communications, US Government and other industries to reach key Middle East markets much more quickly."

The new 747-400F will connect from Bahrain to Hong Kong, enabling customers to enjoy a later pick up time out of Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta for overnight service to North America on the new flight's final leg from Hong Kong to Cincinnati.

DHL continues to expand its infrastructure in Asia Pacific with the construction of a new $175 million North Asia Hub situated at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The 57,000 sq m hub will be built on a total land area of 88,000 sq m, equipped with automated sorting systems. (EHL)