DHL has inaugurated the DHL Domestic Airfreight service in China, after its logistics arm, DHL Global Forwarding obtained a China Air Transport Association (CATA) domestic airfreight licence to operate within 17 Chinese cities.

"China has become one of the most significant logistics markets worldwide, with an abundance of open regulations and huge growth potential. We are confident that the licence to operate and gain entry into the domestic airfreight market will provide fresh opportunities and improved management of heavy airfreight from door to door for our customers," said Peter Landsiedel, CEO of Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding.

"The launch of DHL Global Forwarding Domestic Airfreight service is a strategic direction for us to expand westwards into second and third tier cities in China, allowing DHL to work more closely with our customers, who are developing their production base in the hinterland."

DHL Global Forwarding Domestic Airfreight is part of DHL Global Forwarding's US$20 million investment plan to enhance the company's network infrastructure, human resources development, as well as products and services to meet anticipated business growth in China, a company statement said.