DHL Group has expanded its dedicated Airfreight Cold Chain Network, strengthening global capacity for temperature-sensitive medicines, vaccines and advanced therapies.
The move forms part of DHL’s €2 billion strategic investment in DHL Health Logistics and is designed to deliver end-to-end visibility and tighter temperature control for life sciences and healthcare customers.
At the centre of the expansion is a more integrated pharma airfreight network, connecting more than 30 Good Distribution Practice (GDP) – compliant aviation hubs and gateways worldwide.
Why the pharma airfreight network matters for global supply chains
Life sciences and healthcare supply chains are under growing pressure from regulatory complexity, geopolitical tensions and air capacity constraints. By reducing reliance on third-party carriers and commercial airlines, DHL is increasing direct control over product integrity and temperature management.
Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, said customer expectations are rising.
“Life sciences and healthcare companies expect cold chain solutions that are reliable, compliant, and transparent from end to end — and those expectations are rising fast,” he said.
“Our expanded network brings together DHL Aviation’s global air connectivity, our GDP-compliant station network, and our major investments in modern, temperature-controlled facilities.”
The result, according to DHL, is a more resilient logistics backbone capable of handling high-value biologics and time-critical cell and gene therapies.
What does the Brussels–Cincinnati corridor deliver?
The first phase of the expanded pharma airfreight network connects Brussels (BRU) and Cincinnati (CVG), linking one of Europe’s leading life sciences ecosystems with the US Midwest, home to major pharmaceutical producers.
The corridor is supported by 45,000 square metres of pharma-only zones at BRUcargo, enabling clinical-grade integrity from origin to destination.
By avoiding coastal congestion, the route is positioned as a faster and more controlled pathway for sensitive shipments.
To support the lane, DHL has introduced a dedicated Boeing 777 freighter featuring new “DHL Health Logistics” livery. While the branding signals the strategic focus on healthcare, the operational benefit lies in guaranteed, controllable capacity on a critical pharma trade lane.
DHL says the expanded network, combined with investments in temperature-controlled infrastructure, reduces reliance on heavy packaging and refrigerated air freight containers.