DHL Group has invested €2 billion ($2.3 billion) in an aviation network to transport vaccines and medicines.
DHL Group expanded its life sciences and health care logistics through a dedicated airfreight network. This project moves vaccines and cell therapies with full customer visibility. The system combines DHL Aviation flights with specialized stations to create a stable logistics backbone.
Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, stated that health care companies require reliable and transparent cold chains. The new infrastructure supports customers who deliver critical therapies to patients. By using fewer commercial airlines, DHL maintains better control over product temperatures.
“Life sciences and health care companies expect cold chain solutions that are reliable, compliant, and transparent from end to end — and those expectations are rising fast,” said de Bok.
This shift helps the supply chain remain steady during capacity shortages or global disruptions. The expansion adds dedicated space for medical shipments at more than 30 aviation hubs. These specialized facilities ensure that sensitive cargo remains within required temperature ranges.
The network first connects major hubs in Brussels and Cincinnati. This route links the US Midwest to European pharmaceutical sites directly. The Brussels hub includes 45,000 square meters of specialized zones for medical cargo to maintain product integrity.
DHL plans to extend the network to India, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Germany, and Ireland. These routes follow strict regulatory rules to keep products safe during transport. This expansion allows pharmaceutical products to reach global markets more efficiently.
A Boeing 777 freighter now flies specifically between Europe and North America to support the network. The aircraft carries a “DHL Health Logistics” label to signify its dedicated role. This plane provides consistent cargo space on the most important pharmaceutical lanes.