If you've been shipping goods from Asia to the US lately, you've probably felt the squeeze. Air cargo capacity on transpacific routes took a real hit earlier this year – in fact, freighters were grounded and roughly 40% of capacity vanished at its worst point. Rates spiked, delays crept up, and reliable space became something you had to fight for.
But here's the good news: DHL is making a serious move to change that.
Starting this June, DHL Express is adding significant air cargo capacity between Asia Pacific and the United States. The plan? Deploying Boeing 777 freighters to deliver close to 2,350 tonnes of weekly capacity.
That's a lot of goods moving through the air. And for businesses scrambling to get products to US buyers on time, this extra capacity couldn't have come at a better moment.
Why This Matters Right Now
Here's the context. Transpacific air cargo was already in a rough spot. Tariffs shifted, de minimis rules changed, and the whole market went wobbly. Carriers pulled back – who could blame them? – and shippers were left scrambling for space.
Now with the tariff situation settling somewhat and e-commerce demand pushing back up, the pressure on capacity is building again. And that's where DHL's move comes in – not a moment too soon.
What DHL Is Actually Doing
It's not just adding a plane here and there. This is a pretty substantial boost. One B777 freighter, operated by Kalitta Air, will run five times weekly from the US to DHL's South Asia hub in Singapore (with a stop in Sydney along the way). From there, it continues on to Hong Kong and Japan.
On top of that, DHL's joint venture AeroLogic (with Lufthansa Cargo) is stepping up too – six weekly flights from Leipzig to Hong Kong and Singapore. Meanwhile, DHL has also been quietly modernizing its Air Hong Kong fleet, swapping out older aircraft for a full lineup of 14 A330 freighters – each one offering 25% more payload capacity.
That's more space, more frequency, more reliability.
So What Does This Mean For Your Business?
Extra capacity is good news for everyone. But capacity alone doesn't solve every headache. You still need someone who knows how to work with it – to navigate customs, track shipments, keep costs under control, and actually get your stuff from point A to point B without drama.
That's where working with a solid freight forwarder makes all the difference.
Over at Xiamen XMAE Logistics, we've been shipping goods from China to the US (and worldwide) for years. We're talking air freight, sea freight, rail – you name it. We're IATA and FIATA certified, NVOCC approved, and backed by a network of over 100 overseas agents, so we can handle pretty much anything you throw at us.
When air cargo space tightened up earlier this year, we didn't just throw our hands up. We leaned on our relationships, our on-the-ground partnerships, and our experience to keep shipments moving. With more capacity coming online now, we're positioned to help you take full advantage of it – whether you're shipping to LAX, JFK, or somewhere in between.
The Bottom Line (In Plain English)
The short version is this: getting goods across the Pacific just got a little easier. DHL's capacity expansion is a real help for anyone shipping from Asia to the US. And if you're looking for a logistics partner who knows the routes, the paperwork, and the people who make it happen, we've got your back.
Let's talk about your next shipment – reach out to XMAE Logistics for a quote today.
At XMAE Logistics, we offer air freight, sea freight, DDU/DDP, and door-to-door shipping solutions from China to the US and beyond. Get in touch – we'd love to help.
