DHL said volumes between Hong Kong and Surabaya have increased 18 percent from July to November, with the cargo originating in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan before transferring at Hong Kong.
The company said the direct flights will shave as much as 24 hours off transit times by eliminating the needs to connect through Jakarta, Indonesia's capital and biggest city.
'Hong Kong/Surabaya is an important trade lane for DHL because China is the largest supplier of non-oil and gas products to East Java, with the value amounting to $202.6 million in October 2009,' said David Ng, senior technical advisor, DHL Express and its local partner, PT Birotika Semesta. 'DHL also has a gateway in Surabaya for shipments from and to all regions in East Java. Through a shorter transit time offered by the direct flight, DHL can better support the Surabaya-based companies to enhance their import activities.'
DHL said it will operate four flights per week on the new route, with cargo coming from not only Hong Kong and other parts of Asia, but also from North America. The company didn't specify which aircraft would be used for the flights.
