Turkish Cargo and DHL Global Forwarding selected (DHL GF) the recent IATA World Cargo Symposium as the backdrop to signing an MoU registering their intention to further improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of supply chains. This includes a wide-ranging package of services such as the handling of time sensitive door-door transports with utmost care, fast air-road transits of goods, or productive and seamless air cargo services.
Centerpiece of their upcoming close collaboration is SMARTIST, Europe’s largest, state-of-the-art cargo facility run by Turkish Cargo at Istanbul Airport (IST). The cooperation between the two
global air cargo heavyweights will not only further improve each other’s operational efficiency, but also enhance Istanbul’s potential to become a leading global logistics hub, increasingly
rivaling Dubai or Doha.
IST cements its role as leading global hub
Even more so, since Turkish Airlines just unveiled plans to start serving Australia either in 2026 or a year later. This makes Istanbul, geographically located at the crossroads between Europe,
Asia, and the Middle East, even more interesting as hub for passengers as well as a transit point for cargo shipments. So far, the carrier had twice attempted to add Australia to its network, yet
had had to withdraw its route expansion plans to Down Under due to unfavorable external circumstances (COVID-19 pandemic) in combination with a lack of adequate aircraft. However, thanks to the
range capabilities offered by the upcoming Airbus A350-1000XWB or Boeing’s B777X, such nonstop services, lasting up to 17 hours, will soon be viable.
Istanbul’s geographical advantage in combination with Turkish Cargo’s wide ranging intercontinental network (300+ destinations worldwide) and the state-of-the-art cargo facility known as
SMARTIST, at Istanbul Airport are ideal preconditions to support DHL GF’s own strategic hub concept.
Combination of geographical and infrastructural advantages
This was emphasized by Thomas Mack, Head of Air Freight at DHL Global Forwarding: “Spanning the European and Asian continents, Türkiye is geographically well-positioned to act as a logistics
hub for Europe, Asia, as well as the MEA region and the U.S. We are happy to intensify our long-lasting partnership with Turkish Cargo, that not only provides us with reliable air cargo capacity,
but also state-of-the-art logistics infrastructure to handling air freight,” exclaimed the executive while signing the MoU.
Turhan Özen, Turkish Airlines Chief Cargo Officer, expects the partnership with DHL to lead to a leap in quality in the handling and throughput of air freight. “The integration of SMARTIST,
our mega cargo hub, with the global network of DHL Global Forwarding, will enhance our service quality and strengthen the hub position of Istanbul further.”
More is expected to come
The executive went on to say: “This cooperation will also enable us to offer more effective, productive, and uninterrupted air cargo service to our customers and add value to the industry
upon the establishment of a powerful partnership by and between Turkish Cargo and DHL. We hereby wish that this MoU, which stands out as a great source of pride and excitement to us, be
beneficial to both parties thereto.”
While signing the MoU, both parties emphasized their will to map out new areas of common interest and deepen their cooperation further in future.
Heiner Siegmund
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