UPS will upgrade its air cargo capacity between Asia and Europe with the deployment of larger Boeing 747-8Fs on four weekly flights connecting Hong Kong with its European hub in Cologne.

According to UPS, three 747-8Fs will replace existing 747-400Fs through August 2019, increasing aircraft capacity by 19%.

The company currently has nine 747-8Fs in its fleet, with 19 more on order.

“The total export market value between Hong Kong and Europe grew by over 7% in 2018 according to the Hong Kong Census & Statistics Department,” said Lauren Zhao, managing director of UPS Hong Kong and Macau. “We can help businesses of all sizes take advantage of such cross-border trade opportunities. At the same time, Hong Kong is an attractive growth market for European businesses as the European Union continues to engage with Asia through bilateral free trade agreements in Japan, Singapore and Vietnam.”

UPS offers a one-day transit time for delivery by 9am or 12pm to major European cities via Cologne. The company is investing US$2 billion to strengthen its European infrastructure and services, having opened new package-sorting and delivery hubs near Paris and London last year.

UPS operates almost 300 flights per week from its Cologne hub to 56 European and 12 intercontinental destinations. The company also operates 60 weekly flights at Hong Kong International Airport.