TNT increases express capacity between Asia and Europe

New dedicated Boeing 747 freighter service from Hong Kong to Europe


Vietnam, 18 September 2009 – TNT today starts a new dedicated B747-400 ER freighter service between Hong Kong and Europe. The non-stop flights will operate between Hong Kong and TNT’s European air hub in Liege, Belgium. The company can thus offer its customers fast transit times, control and visibility over shipments moving between Asia and Europe, while optimizing its costs and fleet utilization.

The new B747 freighter service from Hong Kong reflects TNT’s commitment to its investment and growth in Asia. Not only because of its geographical and economic proximity to the Pearl River Delta as well as its central location in Asia, Hong Kong is the natural choice as a hub for serving customers in the south of China, but also in neighboring countries like Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan. It will add to TNT’s other Asian international hubs in Singapore, Shanghai and Beijing.

“With our integrated air and road delivery capabilities in Asia and Europe, we are well-placed to capitalise on the strong trading links between the two regions,” said James McCormack, regional managing director of TNT Asia Pacific. “More importantly, the addition of a dedicated freighter from Hong Kong will ensure our customers, especially those in the high-tech, telecommunications, electronics and fashion industries, become more competitive due to faster factory-to-market lead times and increasing inventory management efficiency. Our continuous investment in Asia clearly demonstrates TNT’s long-term confidence in the region and our continual commitment to raise our service capabilities on behalf of our customers.”

The introduction of the service, when combined with TNT’s existing operations in South East Asia, enhances the company’s position as the leader in integrated freight and express delivery in the region. TNT now operates two dedicated B747s between Europe and Asia, the other travelling from Europe to Shanghai via Singapore. The 110 ton Boeing 747 - 400 ERF (Extended Range Freighter) offers the lowest ton-mile cost in the industry. It is also the most versatile carrier for multiple loading capabilities.

Mr. Mark van Den Assem - Country Managing Director of TNT Vietnam said “This new service extends our network capabilities to Europe. It ensures that customers in Vietnam get assured capacity and reliability for sending freight to Europe. TNT already possesses one of the strongest and most extensive networks in Vietnam, especially with the recently inaugurated International and Domestic Operations Centre’s in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. With new Boeing 747 freighter service, TNT shows a strong commitment to our customers in Vietnam.

In light of an inevitably recovering market, the strengthening of vital trade lanes through the cost-efficient use of the new B747 freighter is viewed as a smart investment to make sure that customers in Vietnam have the most efficient air freight capacity in the market to Europe. ”

In the past six months, facilities offering expanded services have been launched in China, Vietnam and the Philippines, increasing TNT’s strategic advantage in South East Asia. Furthermore, the TNT Asia Road Network, the only integrated most reliable and most secure network in the market, expanded into Cambodia. The network currently links 127 cities across six countries, from Singapore to China, and stretches more than 7,500 km.

                                                                                     -ENDS-