UPS Bolsters Intra-Asia Air Network, Doubling Capacity on Vietnam-China Route

Express carrier UPS is significantly strengthening its Intra-Asia air network, notably doubling capacity on the Hanoi-Shenzhen route and increasing frequencies to Australia to meet growing regional trade demand.

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UPS Express Service (Photo: Logistics Middle East / Phaata)

Express delivery giant UPS has bolstered its Intra-Asia air network to meet the growing demand for air freight across the continent.

Enhanced Connectivity with Australia and Vietnam

One of the key changes is the increased service frequency on the Shenzhen–Sydney route to five flights per week. UPS now offers four times more capacity on the flight connecting its Intra-Asia hub in Shenzhen with Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport. Transit times from mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam to Australia are also one day faster, now taking just two business days.

Another significant change is UPS's enhancement of the Hanoi–Shenzhen connection by deploying larger Boeing 747 freighters on the route, doubling the weekly cargo capacity to 570 tonnes. This upgrade, according to UPS, is aimed at supporting the growing cargo demand from Vietnam to mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. UPS customers in Vietnam now also benefit from next-business-day delivery service to mainland China and Hong Kong.

UPS explained that these changes are a response to the continued growth of Intra-Asia trade, driven by strong regional demand and high-growth sectors such as healthcare, technology, industrial manufacturing, and automotive.

Wilfredo Ramos, president of UPS Asia Pacific, commented: “We continue to see strong momentum across Asia Pacific with intra-Asia trade staying resilient, even as businesses navigate an evolving global trade landscape. UPS is helping its customers strengthen their supply chains through greater flexibility, faster delivery and deeper regional connectivity. Our network is designed to give our customers the agility, reliability and assurance they need to grow confidently in a dynamic region.”

Business Performance and Outlook

According to IATA's World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) report, UPS is the world's third-largest air cargo carrier by scheduled cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs) flown. In 2024, UPS saw 6% growth to 15.1 billion CTKs.

In its Q2 earnings report this year, UPS said it had faced challenges from tariffs and shifting consumer habits, but its air freight business helped improve results. The company announced Q2 2025 revenue of $21.1 billion (a 2.7% decrease) and an operating profit of $1.7 billion (a 6.3% decrease).

UPS CEO Carol Tomé commented: “Our second quarter results reflect both the complexity of the landscape and the strength of our execution. We are making meaningful progress on our strategic initiatives, and we’re confident these actions are positioning the company for stronger long-term financial performance and enhanced competitive advantage.”

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