DHL Invests US$120 Million in New Air Hub in Queretaro

DHL Express Mexico has inaugurated its expanded air hub at Queretaro International Airport, now recognized as Latin America’s most advanced and highest-capacity facility of its kind. The project involved a US$120 million investment, adding 30,000 m² of new infrastructure, 44 automated cargo transport lines, and a processing capacity of 41,000 shipments per hour.

Antonio Arranz, CEO, DHL Express Mexico, stated that the expansion has doubled the hub’s capacity. Previously handling 40 tons daily, the upgraded facility can now process up to 80 tons per day. Arranz emphasized Queretaro’s strategic location as crucial to its role as a logistics hub in Mexico.

The air hub operates 12 Boeing 737 aircraft for domestic deliveries and an additional international flight connecting Querétaro to DHL’s Cincinnati hub. While the facility is capable of accommodating Boeing 757 aircraft, Arranz explained that operating larger planes is inefficient due to high turbine cycle costs. Instead, DHL optimizes operations with multiple shifts of its Boeing 737 fleet. During peak demand periods, such as the Hot Sale, Buen Fin, Christmas, and Three Kings Day, operations can scale to include up to 15 aircraft.

“Queretaro is not just a logistics hub but also a key region for manufacturing investment and commercial connectivity,” said John Pearson, CEO, DHL Express. He highlighted Queretaro’s importance as a trade hub amid nearshoring trends and growing demand from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Luis Felipe Rivas, Director General, Terminal Logistics Kapital, outlined the expansion’s specifics: nearly 15,000 m² of warehouse space and 13,300 m² of yard area. The facility’s automation upgrades are designed to boost operational efficiency and accommodate future increases in cargo volume.

Marco Antonio Del Prete Tercero, Secretary of Sustainable Development for Queretaro, reported that Queretaro International Airport processed 7,000 tons of cargo in February, ranking as Mexico’s fourth-busiest cargo airport.