DHL Express has switched to a larger cargo plane for its route to Hong Kong and Penang, Malaysia, to provide more capacity for customers. The upgraded route will be served by a Boeing 767 freighter, which will replace the previous converted Airbus A321 freighter, providing the network with an additional 20 tonnes of cargo capacity per flight, the express airline announced on Wednesday.
The daily flight, operated by business partner Raya Airways, supports growing demand for express shipments from technology and semiconductor manufacturers in Malaysia’s northern manufacturing hub. The Boeing 767 freighter will offer improved payload and range capabilities, accommodate more shipments and ensure customers in Penang are better connected to trading partners in Hong Kong and beyond, DHL said in a press release.
The move comes as Penang continues to attract high-value investments and expand its footprint in the global technology ecosystem. The state recently recorded significant manufacturing investment of approximately $3 billion in the first half of 2025, a 150% increase compared to the same period last year.
Malaysia ranked among the top 10 fastest-growing trading nations globally in the first half of 2025 and one of the top 20 markets globally that DHL Group has identified as having the highest growth potential. Malaysia’s growth is partly due to global companies diversifying manufacturing from China, as well as its strategic location in the center of Southeast Asia, a business-friendly environment and good infrastructure.
The DHL GoTrade Summit 2025, held for the first time outside Germany in Kuala Lumpur, demonstrated the importance that DHL places on the Malaysian market.
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