Construction of a state-of-the-art aviation maintenance facility and expanded aircraft apron at DHL Express’s global logistics hub at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport has begun, enabling the company to better support timely customer deliveries. The expansion will also allow the aircraft apron to accommodate more aircraft, increasing the capability to handle a larger volume of shipments.
The US$292m project, which includes the LEED-certified, carbon-neutral aviation maintenance hangar, will be built on an additional 20ha that DHL is leasing; it will be able to house two Boeing 777s side by side. With this expansion project, line maintenance activities will be weatherproofed and accommodate maintenance tasks for DHL’s fleet of 737s, 767s, and 777s.
“Over the last several years, we have been enhancing our network capabilities with newer and more fuel-efficient aircraft, and this new facility complements those efforts with additional space for more aircraft to be maintained at the same time. This translates into faster turnaround times, making the fleet more efficient to handle a growing volume of shipments,” said Rob Hyslop, EVP of global aviation at DHL Express.
The expansion also includes the addition of 300 employees to support the new maintenance facility as part of a recently developed joint venture between DHL Express and Kalitta Air, a long-time service partner for DHL and a provider of aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services to global customers. Kalitta Air and DHL will jointly oversee the critical aircraft maintenance activity at the new facility.
“I am thrilled to support DHL’s continued growth in our state,” Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky added. “This expansion not only brings new jobs to the region but also strengthens Kentucky’s position as the premier logistics hub in the United States. Thank you to the leaders at DHL for their continued commitment to the commonwealth.”
The new facility is expected to be fully operational by January 2026.