30/01/2026
🚚✈️ DHL Launches New Truck–Air Multimodal Service for Asia–Europe Trade
DHL Global Forwarding has recently introduced a new truck–air multimodal logistics solution for Asia–Europe trade, creating a fresh cross-continental corridor linking China – Central Asia – Türkiye.
📍 Route Overview
Cargo is collected in mainland China, transported by truck across Central Asia to Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and then airlifted directly to Istanbul (Türkiye). This innovative “truck–air” model aims to strike a new balance between cost efficiency and transit time.
🎯 Target Cargo Profile
DHL positions this service for large-volume, bulky cargo, offering:
💰 Lower costs than traditional full air freight
⚡ Faster transit than pure road, rail, or sea–rail solutions
By bypassing some of the most congested traditional Asia–Europe corridors, this route creates a “middle-ground option” between China–Europe Railway Express and full air cargo.
🚆 Overlap with the Southern China–Europe Rail Corridor
The service directly overlaps with cargo traditionally moving via the China–Europe Railway Express Southern Corridor, which has seen rapid growth in recent years—especially to Türkiye, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.
In 2023, southern corridor rail volumes grew by over 30% YoY
Cargo composition has shifted from bulk goods to electronics, automotive parts, and other high-value products
This evolution closely matches DHL’s target customer base.
⚖️ Competition—or Complement?
Rather than a simple replacement, DHL’s truck–air solution represents differentiated competition:
🚆 Rail remains strong for large volumes with flexible delivery windows
🚚✈️ Truck–air suits cargo with moderate time sensitivity but limited air-freight budgets
As one Central Asia-focused freight forwarder noted:
“Competition is a good thing—it pushes rail operators to improve service quality, transit time, and cost efficiency.”
🌍 A More Diversified Eurasian Logistics Landscape
With DHL entering the space, Eurasian logistics is clearly moving toward a networked, multimodal future. No single transport mode can satisfy all supply chain needs. Instead, flexible combinations of rail, road, and air will become the norm.
For China–Europe rail operators, DHL’s move is both a challenge and an opportunity—driving innovation, customized services, and operational efficiency.
For cargo owners, it means more choice, better service, and stronger supply chain resilience.
🚀 The era of diversified Asia–Europe logistics corridors has truly arrived.
🌍🚆✈️