DHL Express has signed a Letter of Intent to enter into an operating agreement with Hainan-based cargo carrier Central Airlines (HLF/I9) to deploy two DHL B777 freighters.

The logistics behemoth said this would be the first time for DHL Express to do so with a local Chinese cargo airline.

 [Source: DHL]

"The signing of the Letter of Intent is an important milestone for both parties in the process of establishing a partnership and is another important step for DHL Express to deliver its commitment to long-term development in China and to seek and deepen its cooperation with Chinese companies," said Dongming Wu, CEO of China at DHL Express. 

"The partnership with Central Airlines will further strengthen our capacity on intercontinental cargo routes from China while providing more convenience and higher efficiency for Chinese enterprises to expand their businesses globally," he added.

The two DHL B777 freighters to be delivered for operations by Central Airlines will sport a dual DHL and Central Airlines livery.

The B777 is the world's largest, longest range, and most capable twin-engine freighter, reducing CO2 emissions by 18% compared to the legacy B747-400s. 

Annie Hou, chairman of Central Airlines, welcomed the deal with DHL.

"We are very pleased to establish a partnership with DHL Express and are full of expectations and confidence in the prospects of cooperation between the two sides. The partnership fits well with our current B777 freighter operations planning," she said.

"With the two additional B777s, we will provide stronger capacity to support DHL Express and contribute to the development of cross border e-commerce and promoting China's supply chain and Chinese firms going abroad," Hou added.

Travis Cobb, EVP Global Network Operations and Aviation at DHL Express, noted that China is not only the world's factory, but also a global marketplace, and remains the largest shipper on North American Trans-Pacific trade routes in the DHL Express network, as well as Europe's largest trading partner.

"The partnership with Central Airlines is part of our long-term investment in aviation in China to continue developing new routes, increase route flexibility and optimize our aviation network", he said.

DHL Express operates over 300 dedicated aircraft across its global network of 220 countries and territories. 

Central Airlines operates more than 10 B737F and B777F freighters and launched over 40 domestic and international cargo routes.