UPS Launches Next-Day Service from Hong Kong to Europe

The addition means the company now offers a total of 11 flights from Hong Kong to Europe each week.

UPS said it was making it easier for companies in the Asia Pacific region to conduct business with European customers, and for European businesses to source components or products from Asia.

The new flights will fly from Hong Kong into Cologne, Germany, with a Boeing 747-400 aircraft flying Monday to Thursday.

Previously UPS provided seven flights from Hong Kong to Cologne each week, but these are via Dubai. The company said the direct flights would mean accelerated options for air freight shipments.

From the UPS hub in Cologne, the company can then reach across Europe, connecting with 34 countries in a non-dutiable small package and letters service, and 18 countries with a dutiable small package service.

The Cologne hub links with the 460 UPS operating facilities and 156 daily flights within the company’s air and ground network in Europe.

Dan Brutto, president of UPS International, said Hong Kong was a strategically important market for his company, because of its proximity to mainland China and well-established global trade connections.

He said: “With the EU becoming an important trading partner for many Asian markets, the launch of these flights shows a commitment to Asian businesses by providing them additional and faster options on these trade lanes.”