DHL Aviation, the air logistics arm of DHL Express, has introduced Xcelerate, a new high-priority airport-to-airport cargo service tailored for time-sensitive shipments. This premium product is designed to offer guaranteed space, accelerated transit times, and quick booking confirmations, giving freight forwarders and shippers a highly reliable airfreight option.
With Xcelerate, customers can secure last-minute bookings with confidence, as the service allows cargo acceptance shortly before departure and ensures priority loading. At the destination airport, shipments handled under Xcelerate are given first-off recovery status, streamlining the delivery process.
Transparency and efficiency
To enhance transparency and efficiency, a dedicated customer service team monitors each shipment from origin to destination, providing regular email updates throughout the journey. DHL also emphasized that Xcelerate supports its sustainability objectives, incorporating a mandatory surcharge for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This aligns with the company’s goal to blend at least 30% SAF into its fuel mix by 2030 and ultimately reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
According to Ingrid Raj, Global Head of Aviation Commercial at DHL Express, the service was developed in response to customer needs. Paul Ennis, Vice President of Global Operations at DHL Aviation, added that Xcelerate reflects DHL’s ongoing commitment to offering flexible, premium air cargo solutions in a simplified and accessible format.
In a related update, DHL’s latest E-Commerce Trends Report 2025 highlights the growing influence of AI technologies and social media on consumer purchasing behavior. The report notes that shipping options are critical, with 81% of shoppers abandoning carts when preferred delivery methods aren’t offered—making services like Xcelerate even more valuable for businesses aiming to meet customer expectations.