DHL & Airbus: Expanding the Partnership for Green Logistics

DHL Supply Chain has renewed and expanded its contract with Airbus, marking a significant step forward in sustainable aviation logistics.

The partnership, which has endured for nearly 20 years, demonstrates how global supply chains can be transformed while prioritising environmental responsibility.

With both companies sharing a commitment to sustainable operations, the expanded agreement positions DHL Supply Chain as a key partner in Airbus' journey towards greener aviation manufacturing.

Sustainable logistics solutions

Part of the DHL Group, DHL Supply Chain offers solutions designed to drive resilience and efficiency. The company combines management and value-added services with customised solutions to transform business operations while minimising environmental impact.

The lead transport partnership (LTP) was originally launched in 2008 but has since evolved significantly. Airbus, one of Europe's largest aeronautics and space companies, develops aircraft designed to be safer, more fuel-efficient and more sustainable.

"For nearly two decades, our collaboration with Airbus has been built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to operational excellence," Nico Schütz, CEO of DHL Supply Chain France, says.

"This renewal demonstrates our ability to deliver tailored, scalable supply chain management solutions that support Airbus' growth, while advancing the digital transformation of its supply chain to meet today's and tomorrow's needs.

"Through technological innovation, continuous process improvement and the mobilisation of all of DHL Group's expertise, we help enhance Airbus' visibility and shorten order fulfilment times."

Embedding environmental responsibility

DHL supports Airbus with inbound-to-manufacturing and control-tower services, alongside storage, packaging, general cargo and customs clearance. The LTP now encompasses air, sea, road and parcel transport, plus a 24/7 service for Aircraft on Ground (AOG) operations.

A crucial element centres on environmental performance. DHL has been implementing cleaner fuels within its own and its sub-contractors' fleet, mirroring Airbus' commitment to alternative fuel sources.

This approach demonstrates how logistics providers can actively contribute to reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain. By working with sub-contractors to adopt cleaner fuels, DHL extends its environmental impact beyond its direct operations.

"In a context where logistics performance must also align with energy efficiency, DHL Supply Chain leverages its full range of expertise to combine technological innovation with carbon footprint reduction," adds Catherine O'Toole, Head of LLP and Transport, EMEA at DHL Supply Chain.

"The integration of the new transport management system not only improves planning and reduces lead times but also optimises routes and load factors, helping to cut transport-related emissions. This partnership reflects DHL and Airbus' shared commitment to accelerating the transition to a more resilient, intelligent and sustainable supply chain."

All sustainability, net zero and sustainable supply chain leaders should attend:

• Sustainability LIVE: The Net Zero Summit - QEII Centre, London, March 4-5
• Sustainability LIVE: The US Summit - Navy Pier, Chicago, April 21-22

Co-located with Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE, these events brings together CSOs, ESG leaders and senior decision-makers at a moment when sustainability, supply chains and commercial performance are increasingly interconnected.

Tickets can be booked online today for The Net Zero Summit and The US Summit. Group discounts available.

Visibility through innovation

DHL Supply Chain manages approximately 350,000 shipments annually for around 20 Airbus sites globally, with centres in Toulouse, France and Valencia, Spain. The company coordinates inbound flows from suppliers to factories, inter-factory flows across China, the US and Europe, and outbound flows for returns or spare parts.

This scale of operations requires sophisticated coordination and real-time visibility across multiple continents. The control tower approach enables DHL to monitor and respond to disruptions quickly, ensuring manufacturing schedules remain on track.

According to Rainer Haag, CEO Europe at DHL Supply Chain, supply chain complexity continues to increase due to globalisation, product variety and technological changes.

"We are proud to create this visibility for Airbus through our LTP control towers in Valencia, Spain and Toulouse, France, to ensure efficient flows of their manufacturing parts globally," he concludes.

The partnership's focus on optimising routes and load factors, combined with cleaner fuels and advanced transport management systems, suggests that sustainable logistics could become increasingly central to aviation manufacturing.