DHL Express is gearing up for a 25% rise in parcel volumes throughout New Zealand this holiday season. Anticipated to be the busiest days for international pickups and deliveries are Black Friday (28 November) and Cyber Monday (1 December).
To handle the seasonal surge, DHL Express said it has increased staffing throughout its courier network and processing centres, lengthened operating hours, and upgraded aircraft capacity on major routes.
The company’s Auckland Gateway, a vital hub for international shipments, will run at full capacity during the entire holiday season.
“We’re seeing strong demand from both consumers and businesses, and we’re scaling up our operations to meet that demand. To give a picture of what this looks like, this year alone, if all DHL parcels were stacked on top of one another, it would be taller than three times the Auckland Sky Tower,” said Dinesh Dasanayake, Vice President of Operations at DHL Express New Zealand.
DHL Express expects to handle and deliver up to 25% more shipments than its typical volume. The company said the five most frequently shipped items are clothing, fabrics, supplements, personal care products, and electronics.
“Unlike traditional postal services, we don’t have a fixed Christmas cut-off date. We continue processing and delivering shipments right through the holidays to ensure customers receive their parcels as quickly as possible,” Dasanayake said.
“Peak season is always a high-pressure time for the logistics industry, but it’s also one of the most rewarding. We’re proud to play a role in connecting people and delivering a little bit of joy to homes across New Zealand.”