DHL Express has launched a new direct service from Hong Kong to the UK's East Midlands Airport to address the increased demand for shipments from Asia.

East Midlands Airport is home to the UK's largest dedicated air cargo operation.

The new service — which utilises Boeing 747-8 freighter or the "Queen of the Skies" — has a capacity of up to 130 tonnes, is the only dedicated cargo route between the UK and

95% of the goods on board are time-critical products including medical and industrial supplies, and also e-commerce shipments.

Karen Smart, managing director, East Midlands Airport, said: “We very much welcome DHL’s continued investment in its EMA operation. It is fitting that currently, the only direct cargo flight to the UK from China comes into EMA which is home to the UK’s largest dedicated air cargo operation.”

She added that this new route is further evidence of the airport’s vital role as a global hub for time-critical goods and a facilitator of world trade.

Meanwhile, Ian Wilson, chief executive of DHL Express UK and Ireland, said: “As lockdowns in many countries around the world begin to ease, we’re seeing a sustained growth in demand for goods from Asia, covering all of the usual high value or time-critical products like technology, medical and industrial goods. We have introduced this new direct route operating into East Midlands Airport as a direct response to this, and as part of our ongoing adaptations to the network to enable us to best serve our customers.”

Earlier, DHL Express also launched two new routes to the US  — also in response to demand for time-critical deliveries.

The routes are from East Midlands Airport to New York JFK and Miami International. An additional freighter service will also be introduced between East Midlands Airport to Los Angeles later this month.