DHL Global Forwarding recorded an increase in its turnover and profit in the second quarter of 2026, mainly supported by the performance of its air freight business. The company reported that it had benefited from both an increase in the volumes transported and an increase in freight rates in a context of high market tensions.

DHL Global Forwarding recorded sales of €5.4 billion in the second quarter of 2026, up 17.9% from the same period of the previous year. Its operating profit (EBIT) increased by 21.9% to EUR 240 million.

The growth was largely driven by air freight, whose revenues jumped by 30.4 % to EUR 1.9 billion, while maritime freight (+8 %) and road transport (+8.5 %) also increased.

During the quarter, the company transported 473,000 tonnes of goods by air, an increase of 7% over one year. This growth in volumes, which is lower than turnover, also reflects an increase in freight rates.

DHL attributes this evolution to several factors, including rising fuel prices, capacity constraints caused by tensions in the Middle East and sustained demand for shipments related to artificial intelligence technologies.

According to the group, the growth in air cargo volumes was mainly fuelled by trade from Asia and Latin America. The company also points out that Asia-related trade corridors remained resilient in the first half of the year, in a context of high volatility in freight rates.

The DHL Express division also posted higher results in the second quarter. Its turnover increased by 21.5 % to EUR 7.1 billion, while international volumes increased by 9.4 % and domestic volumes by 5.2 %.

The Group estimates that the continuing constraints on the capacity of the air freight market have contributed to improving the profitability of this activity, with a positive impact estimated at around EUR 150 million.