DHL Aviation, a subsidiary of Germany-based global logistics group DHL, has announced that it has taken delivery of two Boeing 737-400 freighter aircraft, in full DHL branding, to serve the West African and wider African markets. The two aircraft were unveiled on Tuesday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria. The 737-400 freighter had a maximum payload of 17 t and a maximum range (with a reduced payload of 15.9 t) of 2 200 nautical miles.

"As trade expands across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area, businesses are demanding predictable transit times and consistent delivery performance,” explained DHL Express sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) VP operations and aviation Anthony Beckley. “The two dedicated aircraft will be integrated into DHL Aviation’s African air network, strengthening connections on critical Africa-Europe and Africa-Asia trade lanes.”

DHL is the only “integrator” which has its own dedicated air network across sub-Saharan Africa. The addition of the two 737-400s is part of the group’s continuing expansion of its aviation capacity across the continent, and is a major marker in its programme of investment the logistics infrastructure of sub-Saharan Africa.

These two aircraft will improve transit times and delivery predictability, and increase the reach of the group regarding the support it could provide to businesses in West Africa and elsewhere. They will particularly meet the increasing demand from key sectors in West Africa, such as e-commerce, energy, life sciences and healthcare, and perishables. 

“With this latest investment, DHL Express reaffirms its position as the logistics partner of choice for businesses seeking to grow their presence in regional and global value chains,” affirmed DHL Aviation SSA aviation senior director Riaan Vorster. 

The group’s investment in aviation complements its wider commitment to sustainable growth. It continues to roll-out digitalisation via AI-enabled route optimisation (which reduces fuel burn and thus carbon emissions) and digital customs tools. It is also piloting alternative fuel projects at its facilities, to meet long-term environmental targets.