DHL Express has opened its latest international hub at Malpensa Airport near Milan in Italy.

The freight and logistics company said it will be able to operate more than 30 daily flights and clear nearly 38,000 pieces per hour through automated sorting and scanning systems. The new logistics hub employs 900 people, increasing by a further 10% during peak times.

The building (pictured) and its technology involved an investment of €110m. It integrates into DHL’s existing setup, moving deliveries into and from Italy through the national airports of Ancona, Pisa, Naples, and to and from the rest of Europe with transit on Leipzig, Brussels, Paris, Barcelona, Vitoria, London, East Midlands, Cologne, Zagreb, Athens, Budapest and Thessaloniki. Shipments beyond Europe to can go to Bahrain, Seoul and Cincinnati.

Europe chief executive Alberto Nobis said: “Malpensa represents one third of the total investments in Italy by DHL Express. As the fourth biggest European hub, it joins Leipzig, East Midlands in the UK, and Brussels. The new dual facility integrates all DHL Express processes under one roof, a hub that manages the air service and a service centre for last mile pick-up and delivery.”

The company plans to invest a total in excess of €350m in its facilities in Italy, saying it aims to be “the partner of companies that produce and export Italian excellence in the world”.

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