In response to increased demand for pharma and technology goods, DHL Global Forwarding (GF) has announced an airfreight charter service connecting Asia Pacific to Europe and the US. DHL GF’s in-house charter team, the twice-weekly charter originates from Chongqing and flies to Amsterdam, Chicago and Incheon before returning to China. According to DHL GF, South Korea has seen its export of healthcare products rise year-on-year by 26.7 per cent in the first half of 2020; pharma goods meanwhile increased by 52.5 per cent.
DHL GF added that China has exported 28.5% more medical devices in the first five months of the year, compared with a year ago. Thomas Mack, Global Head – Airfreight, DHL GF, says, “While some passenger airlines have resumed operations, the situation in the airfreight market remains volatile – especially as belly capacity is still tight. Our top priority is to provide our customers with sufficient and reliable airfreight capacity. Not only are the resilient, agile and reliable supply chains of highest importance for an economic recovery, but also in preparation for the availability of vaccines and other essential medical supplies during the pandemic.”