DHL to invest $192M USD at its hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to accommodate growing fleet

DHL, the world’s leading provider of international express shipping, will invest $192M USD in an expansion project at its Americas global hub based at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). The investment supports the company’s growing aviation fleet with a 305,000- square-foot, state-of-the-art aviation maintenance facility with additional space for aircraft components storage, offices, three maintenance parking gates, and eight new aircraft gates.

The LEED-certified, carbon neutral aviation maintenance hangar will be built on an additional 50 acres that DHL will be leasing and will be able to house two Boeing-777s side by side. With this expansion project, line maintenance activities will also be weatherproofed and will accommodate maintenance tasks for DHL’s fleet of 737s, 767s, and 777s.

“We are committed to serving our customers and their growing demands, which require an investment to expand our footprint at CVG,” said Mike Parra, CEO for DHL Express Americas. “Our Americas hub is one of three DHL global superhubs and completes the backbone of our intercontinental network. We are excited for this new project to meet the needs of our partners and employees with a new carbon neutral, state-of-the-art facility for maintenance operations of our growing fleet.”

Between 2018 and 2022, DHL purchased 28 new B777-200F freighters from Boeing, of which 19 are currently in service. The remaining aircraft will be delivered between 2023 to 2025. Earlier this year, the company announced the order of nine Mammoth-converted B777-200LR freighters from Jetran to be delivered between 2024 and 2027. This is all part of the company’s plan to modernize its long-haul intercontinental fleet following its sustainability commitments.

DHL’s CVG hub currently operates on 194 acres with 67 aircraft parking gates and 6.4 million sq. ft. of ramp area. It sits at the heart of the DHL U.S. network with 130 daily flights and a fleet of 60 aircraft, connecting customers from more than 220 countries and territories worldwide to every corner of the U.S. It is also one of three DHL global superhubs, with the other two based in Hong Kong and Germany.

“Kentucky has one of the strongest distribution and logistics sectors in the country, and DHL plays a major role in that success,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. “The commonwealth’s ideal geographic location and access to resources make it incredibly easy for companies to reach their consumer base in a timely and efficient manner. I want to thank DHL for their continued commitment to Kentucky and look forward to many more years of their success here in the commonwealth.”

DHL has invested more than $250 million since 2015 in hub upgrades that include new aircraft handling equipment, autostort systems for a capacity of 80,000 shipments per hour, workplace safety initiatives and various facility remodels and enhancements.

“DHL is a valued long-time partner, and we’re pleased they continue to invest at CVG,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG. “DHL’s Global Superhub is an integral part of our regional and state economy. Its success is contingent on having the facilities and workforce able to serve the global air cargo industry, and this development aligns with our vision to expand aircraft maintenance and support services on campus.”

“DHL continues to add on to the Global Superhub at CVG and we are grateful for the company’s commitment to Northern Kentucky,” said Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore. “The service DHL provides from CVG is invaluable to our strong base of manufacturers and companies in the Cincinnati region.”

“With ever-increasing cargo loads arriving at CVG, the need for additional maintenance and repair operations continues to grow. We applaud DHL’s expansion and will work with the company and the community to build on their success in the Cincinnati region,” said BE NKY Growth Partnership CEO Lee Crume.