Geodis said it is adding more flights in its Asia Pacific network to boost capacity and address demand in the region.

In a statement, it said the expanded flight network, which bridges Hong Kong, Chennai, Sydney, and Shanghai to Kuala Lumpur, can carry an additional 320 tons of cargo weekly.

"In response to surging demand for air cargo capacity in the region, Geodis, a global leading transport and logistics services provider, has significantly expanded its AirDirect own operated network with three more intra-Asia Pacific (APAC) flight routes," it said.

"This will significantly ease the strain on the supply chains, which saw load factors and yields reach historic highs in 2021 when cargo capacity struggled to meet the surge in e-commerce transactions."

Multi-modal offering

With a newly established hub in Kuala Lumpur, the logistics operator noted that it will dovetail the air services with its Road Network linking destinations throughout Southeast Asia. 

Geodis said the multi-modal expansion builds on its strong momentum in creating diverse transportation options for customizing supply chain solutions for its customers.

"With demand for airfreight forecast to increase, particularly amidst ongoing delays and flight cancellations across Southeast Asia following the impact of the Omicron variant, Geodis believes its extended AirDirect schedules will become a pivotal component in ensuring seamless, reliable, and efficient air transport services in the region," the French logistics firm added.

Geodis added that the new flights will enable consolidated shipments across Asia including goods from key manufacturing sites in China, Malaysia, and Vietnam to transit via the Kuala Lumpur hub allowing all three of Geodis' key services – AIRFLEX, AIRFAST, AIRSAVE – to be offered to its customers.

"By enabling seamless connections with our expanded road network, connecting Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the multimodal hub at Kuala Lumpur offers highly integrated transport solutions that not only circumvent disruptions affecting both air and sea cargo flows, but also ensure that customers' shipments can reach anywhere in mainland Southeast Asia," said Onno Boots, president and chief executive officer, Asia Pacific, Geodis.

Addressing supply chain disruptions

"Given the increasingly complex supply chain landscape that has affected the logistical priorities and needs of industries across the board, it is more crucial now than ever to supplement integrated transport networks on strategic routes. "

"Geodis' new intra-APAC flight routes represent our sustained commitment to provide highly reliable and innovative solutions to help customers optimize their response to the e-commerce boom and chart their long-term business growth."