DHL and Blue Dart open integrated terminal at Bangalore airport

Logistics majors, DHL Express and Blue Dart Aviation inaugurated a $25 million integrated terminal at the Bangalore International Airport. The 220,757 sq. ft facility will integrate the South Indian domestic and international businesses of both companies.

The facility, which was expected to bring synergies in operations, was said to improve services by reducing throughput time by 60 minutes.

Malcolm Monteiro, senior vice president and area director South Asia, DHL Express Asia Pacific, said that the Bangalore facility, would be followed up by similar facilities in the near future.

“Every time we have an opportunity like this, we will use it. Hyderabad is the next one in line. We are also looking at Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata within a short period of time. The kind of investments that will go into these facilities will depend on the airports and the throughput in these areas,” said Monteiro.

In reference to the market slowdown, Monteiro said, that the express industry, which had grown at the rate of 19% last year, was expecting a growth of 10% - 12% this fiscal. The company, however, he said, was growing above the market due to the choice of its investments.

The company, which had increased market share by 1% to 2% last year, was expecting similar figures this year, said Monteiro.

The company, which had an employee base of 10,000 employees in India, was likely to experience a slowdown in recruitment but was not looking to cut jobs. “We will continue to recruit, but at a slower pace,” he said.