DHL Express has started work on expanding its aircraft apron and a 305,000sq ft aircraft maintenance facility at its main US hub in Cincinnati. The $292 million scheme includes eight new gates, bringing the total at the gateway to 75 and is expected to be fully operational by January 2026.
Cincinnati hub currently handles 117 daily flights and a fleet of 64 aircraft, and is one of three DHL global hubs, along with Hong Kong and Germany.
A new aviation maintenance hangar will be built on an additional 50 acres and will have space for two Boeing-777s side by side and will allow line maintenance to take place under cover.
DHL Express will also take on 300 new employees at the new maintenance facility under its joint venture with Kalitta Air.
DHL Express executive vice-president of global aviation, Rob Hyslop said: “We have been enhancing our network capabilities with newer and more fuel-efficient aircraft, and this new facility complements those efforts with additional space for more aircraft to be maintained at the same time. This translates into faster turnaround times, making the fleet more efficient to handle a growing volume of shipments.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear added that the expansion would bring new jobs to the region and also strengthen the state’s position as a logistics hub in the US.
DHL Express Americas chief executive, Andrew Williams, said: “By enhancing our operational capabilities, we are not only reducing delays and ensuring faster service but also expanding our capacity to meet the growing needs of our customers with even greater efficiency and reliability.”