DHL Global Forwarding Launches Multimodal 'Truck-Air' Service: A New Bridge for the Asia-Europe Route

DHL Global Forwarding has officially launched a new combined road-air transport service (truck-air service) for the Asia-Europe trade lane. This move is expected to create an effective alternative to traditional air freight, helping shippers achieve an optimal balance between cost and speed.

Operational Model: A New Silk Road in the Air and on the Ground

Under this new operational model, cargo is collected from inland points in China and transported by truck to Tashkent (Uzbekistan). From there, shipments are loaded onto aircraft and flown to Istanbul (Turkey).

From the Turkish gateway, goods can continue their journey to other destinations in Europe via road, sea, or air, depending on the customer's specific requirements regarding time and cost.

Time and Cost Efficiency

DHL states that this service is specifically designed for high-volume and bulky shipments.

In terms of economic efficiency, customers who utilized the service over the past two months reported cost savings potentially reaching six figures on certain shipments, although DHL notes that savings will vary on a case-by-case basis.

Regarding transit time, the journey from China to Turkey is estimated at 9 to 11 days, compared to 4 to 7 days for traditional air freight. This makes it an attractive option for the retail industry and sectors requiring time-sensitive solutions while still needing to optimize budgets.

Meeting Flexible Market Demands

Ms. Aditi Rasquinha, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Greater China, assessed that this new service arrives at the right time as pressure on global supply chains continues to mount.

Ms. Rasquinha shared: “Demand for agile and cost-efficient logistics solutions continues to rise, backed by sustained growth in China–Europe and broader Asia–Europe trade.”

In the company's latest market update, Rasquinha also highlighted forecasts of capacity tightness and escalating rates ahead of the Lunar New Year, with demand expected to peak in early February 2026.

She stated: “Truckair helps customers manage short-term volatility while maintaining predictable lead times.”

Positive Trade Context

Macroeconomic figures also support the launch of this service route. China's total goods import-export volume increased by 3.6% in the first 11 months of 2025, signaling a steady recovery in trade growth. The European Union (EU) remains China's second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade rising 5.4% year-on-year, reaching 5.4 trillion Yuan.

Concluding on the core value of the service, Ms. Rasquinha emphasized: “Truckair was developed to meet growing demand for greater flexibility and predictability in cross-border shipments, enabling businesses to control costs without compromising speed.”

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Source: Phaata.com (According to Air Cargo News)

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