DHL Group to add 30% freight capacity in India

DHL Group will expand its freighter capacity in India by 30% in 3-5 years. DHL Group’s revenue in India grew by over 10% year-on-year in 2024, and the company plans to open another large facility in New Delhi by mid-2025. Currently, DHL Group has over 140 warehouses and facilities in India.  The Indian market currently contributes about 3% to DHL’s global revenue. 

DHL plans to replace six narrowbody Boeing B737 freighter aircraft with widebody Boeing freighter aircraft in a few years. Currently, the group operates eight narrowbody Boeing freighter aircraft in India. DHL has requested the Indian government to simplify taxes on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by introducing a goods and services tax-like single tax across the country. DHL Group in India caters to high demand from the e-commerce sector and business-to-business segments but doesn’t see the surge in quick commerce in India as a threat to its business. 

As per data by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), India’s cargo market registered a growth of 14.3% in freight carried between April and November—to 2,488.83 tonnes from 2,177.64 tonnes in the same year-earlier period. International load registered a jump of 19.4%, and domestic load increased by 6.7%.