DHL Express builds new state-of-the-art hub at Copenhagen Airport

DHL Express will make its largest ever investment in Denmark and the Nordic countries with a new hub at Copenhagen Airport. The hub will significantly improve the speed and quality of DHL Express’ activities in the region.

With new state-of-the-art automated systems, DHL will be able to handle nearly 37,000 packages per hour, 24 hours a day, in the 26,172 m² building, which also includes offices. The company, which was voted Denmark’s best workplace in November 2018, therefore expects to add 100 new jobs.

“We want to grow through quality. Therefore, we are investing significantly into the expansion of our infrastructure to increase efficiencies and to improve delivery capabilities. Our international hubs are the backbone of our global network which connects businesses from all industries and private customers alike, and enables them to benefit from the ongoing e-commerce growth.” says John Pearson, Global CEO of DHL Express.

Packages to and from Denmark usually travel via the DHL hubs in Leipzig, Germany, or East Midlands, UK. However, once the new hub at Copenhagen Airport is built, planes will reach their destinations more directly and without additional stops along the way. Fewer stops mean faster delivery, which is critical for many companies’ business and vital for consumers today.

“We are experiencing enormous growth in our cross-border online trade,” states Atli Einarsson, Managing Director of DHL Express in Denmark. “We are also preparing for our customers’ growth, including manufacturing companies within the pharmaceutical and fashion industries. This massive upgrade of our facility will turn it into one of the most modern of our 19 regional hubs worldwide. This demonstrates the importance of our country’s future role in the network. The new regional hub will benefit businesses and consumers in Denmark and throughout the Nordic region.”

Future-proofing capacity

DHL Express is in the midst of further strengthening and future-proofing its business. In 2018, the logistics giant announced to purchase 14 new Boeing 777 air freighters and five Airbus A330s, expanding the fleet to over 260 planes. In Denmark, the company also broke ground on a new terminal in the central city of Fredericia at a price tag of more than DKK 100 million (approximately EUR 13.4 million). It is slated to open in early 2020.

“The new investments here in Denmark and at other locations in our network are part of our global plan to promote our future growth, efficiency improvements in day-to-day operations, and the quality for which our customers choose us,” says Einarsson.

Copenhagen Airport Group CEO Thomas Woldbye considers DHL’s billion-kroner investment as an important investment for Denmark – and a pat on the back for the airport, following many years of strong and close collaboration. “Air freight is crucial for maintaining and developing the Copenhagen Airport as a key Northern European hub. We consider expansion a key target in our strategy, and we are very grateful that DHL has chosen CPH for their new hub. We can see growing demand for high-quality air freight facilities to handle the increasing volume of freight to and from places like China. It also meets the needs of consumers, who do more and more of their shopping online. This really is great news for Denmark and the region!” declares Woldbye.

DHL Express’ new freight terminal will be located on a 43,116 m² site in the eastern freight area of the airport, where a new Airport Business Park is in the works as well.

Last year, DHL Express opened its new Brussels Airport hub