Press release
TNT links China to Europe with two Boeing 747-400ERFs
Amsterdam, 31 October 2005 – Global provider of mail, express and logistics services TNT N.V. today announced that its Express Division will lease two B747-400ERF freighters to start up a new direct service between Europe and China in 2006.
The 100 tonne capacity aircraft will be leased for a period of ten years from the US-based aircraft leasing company Guggenheim Aviation Partners and will provide TNT with its own dedicated capacity between China and Europe. Two years ago, TNT successfully launched its Integrated Direct Express (IDE) service between China and Europe in response to the rapid growth of its global high-tech client base. And TNT is now able to offer its clients up to 1,000 to 1,250 tonne of dedicated controlled air linehaul capacity per week, connecting TNT's European hub with the main gateways in China.
"This is a major step towards achieving our strategic objective of being the number one carrier between Asia and Europe", said Peter Bakker, CEO of TNT N.V. "It provides us with much needed additional capacity between China and Europe, where our volumes have grown by 35 per cent year-to-date, compared with 2004. The investment in the two new freighters will also ensure service reliability and allow us to take advantage of the growth in manufacturing exports out of China."
Ken McCall, TNT China CEO said "This exciting news has been eagerly anticipated by TNT clients in both China and Europe. The introduction of two Boeing 747 TNT freighters will connect China directly to over 400 European locations. We believe that this dedicated direct service and network will benefit our clients as it gives them faster and more access to Europe with greater reliability. "
The new and most modern version of the "jumbos" will be introduced into service in November 2006 and in June 2007. One will do four round trips per week between Shanghai and Europe (Liege, where the company's European Air Network is based), while the second will enable the company to increase the total number of weekly trips to five, and up to nine. Maximum aircraft utilisation will additionally be achieved by operating for third party partner airlines.
The aircraft will be the largest ever operated by TNT (surpassing its present biggest, the A300) and will be the first-ever B747 to sport the distinctive orange and white TNT livery.
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TNT is the leading global provider of Express, Logistics and Mail services. The group employs around 162,000 people in 63 countries and serves over 200 countries. TNT provides customers with integrated business solutions covering the entire range of services, from direct marketing solutions, to door-to-door delivery services and supply chain management. The company focuses on a diverse range of market sectors including automotive, electronics, consumer goods, utilities and telecommunications, publishing and media. As a Global Fortune 500 company, TNT is headquartered in the Netherlands and publicly listed on the Amsterdam, New York, London and Frankfurt stock exchanges. The global revenues in 2004 were 12.6 billion Euros.
TNT Express has the biggest air and road delivery network in Europe and provides fast, reliable door-to-door express delivery service for more than 200 countries internationally with 187 million deliveries annually.
TNT Logistics is a leading global logistics company. It designs, implements and operates complex supply chain solutions on a national, regional or global scale for medium to large enterprises. Through its freight management unit it provides air and sea freight services internationally. It exploits technology to achieve optimisation, integration and visibility throughout the supply chain. The company focuses on a diverse range of market sectors including automotive, tyres, electronics, consumer goods, utilities & telecom, and publishing & media.
As one of TNT's brands, TPG Post is a market leader in international business mail that has been established for over 200 years. It runs mail networks in seven European countries and deals with 7 billion pieces of mail every year.
TNT China is the Chinese branch of TNT Group. TNT China provides integrated business solutions through three main business sectors -- Mail services, Logistics and Express. These services cover direct marketing solutions, door-to-door delivery services and supply chain management. TNT currently employs over 4,500 skilled professionals across its network of 25 branches and services more than 500 cities in China. TNT China has developed over 2,000 service stations and currently operates seven gateways in China which includes: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Dalian, Hangzhou, Xiamen and Shenzhen.
By joining with Shanghai Automotive Logistics Co. to form Anji–TNT Automotive Logistics Co. Ltd., TNT China has become the largest third-party automotive logistics provider in China
For more information, reporters may contact:
Melanie Li
Communications Manager
TNT China
Tel: 86 (21) 5352 4688 Ext. 6411
Fax : 86 (21) 6340 3657
melanie.li@tnt.com
Sabrina Fu
Hill & Knowlton (China) Public Relations Co, Ltd.
Tel: 86 (21) 5109 7070
Fax: 86 (21) 5407 5700
Sabrina.fu@hillandknowlton.com.cn
Copyright © 2004 TNT China