DHL bulks up Calgary service by 36,000 lbs with 727 jet

With the support of the Calgary Airport Authority, DHL Canada is enhancing its international airfreight service into and out of Calgary by upgrading its current plane from a turboprop to a 727 jet.

The new aircraft will double DHL’s delivery speed and increase its capacity by almost 10 times the current amount. The company also announced that the Calgary International Airport would now be its distribution point for most of western Canada.

The significant upgrade in speed, combined with a more direct route from DHL’s main North American air hub, means that international and U.S. express shipments will arrive in the Calgary area over 2 1/2 hours earlier, making morning deliveries even earlier a significant time-saver for businesses in Calgary’s growing economic centre.

"At DHL we are in the beginning of an aggressive Canadian growth campaign," said Eric de Maat, President of DHL Canada. "Much like Calgary, DHL is leveraging its potential, becoming a more substantial express transportation provider in Canada. It is our intention to grow our business in the province significantly and with this announcement we have the equipment and the infrastructure to do it. "

The upgraded jet also has the ability to transport containerized freight, so DHL can better service oil and gas customers, along with customers in other industries who need to ship heavy or bulky material via express service into and out of the Calgary area from the USA or other international origins.

Prior to the upgrade, a Fairchild Expediter turboprop serviced Calgary, with a lift capacity of just over 4,000 pounds and a cruising speed of about 500 km/h. The new aircraft is a Boeing 727 cargo jet, with a lift capacity of over 40,000 pounds and a much faster cruising speed of more than 950km/h.

Along with the increase in airfreight capacity and delivery speed, DHL also announced it would make use of the Calgary Airport Authority’s new extension to Cargo Apron #2 for the distribution of its international freight to all points within the Yukon, Northwest Territories, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“DHL has recognized the huge potential Calgary offers as Western Canada’s cargo hub and their role in our long-term strategic plans to establish Calgary International Airport as a major multi-modal cargo centre,” commented Stephan Poirier, Senior Director Passenger & Cargo Air Service Development for The Calgary Airport Authority. “DHL’s new service is good news for shippers and freight forwarders as it provides them with more options and new destinations worldwide. It will increase the level of competitiveness our city and region enjoys worldwide while stimulating further economic growth.”