To meet the growing demand, DHL Express has expanded its ability to cover intra-Asian and trans-Pacific markets.

In the intra-Asian market, the express operator added K-Mile-operated B737-400SF flights to and from Hong Kong and Bangkok six times a week, and Hong Kong Airlines added a sixth rotation on two existing routes operated by A300-600 on behalf of the company.

Hong Kong Airlines routes are: Beijing-Hong Kong-Beijing, Hong Kong-Cebu-Manila-Hong Kong.

To meet intercontinental cargo demand, a B777F aircraft operated by AeroLogic's joint venture with Lufthansa cargo will fly six times a week from DHL Central Asia hub in Hong Kong to the US hub in Cincinnati.

The company said the pandemic and the pandemic-related restrictions have further accelerated the growth of online sales: e-commerce accounted for half of total retail sales in Asia Pacific in 2020 and is expected to reach 61% by 2025.

"To ensure that we are prepared to meet the anticipated surge in demand during the peak season, we are continually enhancing our fleet and aligning our air network to provide our customers with the most efficient service to international transportation," said Sean Wall, Executive Vice President, Network Operations & Aviation, DHL Express Asia Pacific.