DB Schenker has launched its new Global Flight Operations Program, connecting Beijing, Shanghai, Zhengzhou and Hongkong to Chicago and Frankfurt ten times a week with exclusive full charter flights.

In a statement, DB Schenker said while scheduled air freight capacity remains highly impacted due to international passenger flight cancellations, this new offering creates reliable cargo options for DB Schenker's customers exporting from China.

The Global Flight Operations Program follows earlier full charter operations, such as DB Schenker's COVID-19-Airbridge.

"In China, the majority of the manufacturers have recovered to normal. With the COVID-19-pandemic still not under control worldwide, we do not expect passenger flights and belly capacity to return to the market within the next 12 months," said Martin Habisreitinger, vice president Air Freight, DB Schenker Greater China.

"The instability and insufficient supply within the capacity market have become a bottleneck for our customers."

He noted that DB Schenker's new service will be a "reliable air cargo solution" to importers and exporters in China to keep their supply chains stable.

The Global Flight Operations Program connects Shanghai and Frankfurt 3 times a week, Beijing and Frankfurt once per week, Zhengzhou and Frankfurt once per week, Hong Kong to Frankfurt twice per week and Shanghai to Chicago three times per week with our exclusive full charter flights.

In addition to these regular exclusive full charter flights, DB Schenker said it also provides partial charter flights, connecting Hong Kong to Frankfurt twice a week, Hong Kong to Los Angeles three times per week and Hong Kong to Chicago once per week.

DB Schenker Air Freight has commenced frequent full charter flights earlier this year to overcome capacity shortages and peak demand during the global outbreak of the Corona pandemic.

It said in total, it provided 1,190 flights to secure capacities for its customers in the challenging market environment. Among these were 72 flights of DB Schenker's China Shuttle, that was installed with converted Boeing 767 passenger airplanes by cooperation partner Icelandair.