UPS this week launched direct B747-8 flights from New Delhi to Cologne, offering exporters in northern India more capacity and faster transit times to Europe and the United States.
The new six times a week flight arrives in New Delhi from Shenzhen via Bangkok, thus offering capacity for Chinese exports to India. It then flies directly to the company’s European Air Hub at Cologne, where shipments are sorted for distribution across Europe or onward transportation to the U.S.
UPS, which already operates separate existing B767 flights from Delhi via Dubai to Cologne, said its goal is to increase business efficiency and make the global marketplace more accessible for Indian customers.
Thanks to the new B747-8 freighter flights, businesses in North India will now gain faster access to markets in the west, with extended pick up time, later commercial clearance and shorter time in transit to capitalize on growth opportunities in Europe and United States.
The Boeing 747-8 freighter, the company’s largest aircraft, received a ceremonial welcome from Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) officials at its first landing in the city.
The plane is part of UPS’s investment of adding 10 million pounds of new lift capacity globally, which is the largest current expansion by any carrier. UPS has already taken delivery of 18 of 49 new aircraft previously announced and will receive the remainder by 2022.
