DHL Group has strengthened Brussels’ position as a leading pharmaceutical logistics hub with the launch of a dedicated daily air freight service to the United States.
The new connection links DHL’s Brussels hub with Cincinnati using a temperature-controlled Boeing 777, purpose-equipped to transport time- and temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, medicines and biopharmaceuticals.
End-to-End Temperature Control
Pharmaceutical cargo typically requires strict temperature ranges — such as 2–8°C or 15–25°C — with even minor fluctuations potentially compromising product integrity. DHL says the move toward operating more of its own controlled flights, rather than relying on belly cargo capacity from commercial airlines, allows tighter management of the full supply chain.
By controlling the process from origin to destination, the company aims to ensure greater precision in timing, temperature stability and overall product quality.
Brussels: Europe’s Pharma Gateway
The choice of Brussels as a launch point reflects Belgium’s status as a global pharmaceutical export powerhouse. According to WTO data, Belgium exported €71 billion in pharmaceutical products in 2023, ranking among the top exporters worldwide.
Brussels Airport already plays a central role in this ecosystem, with 45,000 m² of dedicated pharmaceutical handling space and more than 35% of DHL Global Forwarding’s cargo activities at the airport tied to healthcare shipments.
The new Brussels–Cincinnati corridor directly connects two major pharmaceutical regions, strengthening transatlantic supply chains between Europe and the US.
Part of €2 Billion Global Investment
The route marks the first phase of a broader global rollout. DHL Group plans additional healthcare-focused routes across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America as part of a €2 billion investment programme in pharmaceutical logistics.
With Brussels positioned as its European healthcare logistics hub, DHL is aiming to become the global benchmark in integrated logistics solutions for the life sciences and healthcare sector.