DHL expands European parcel network in Cyprus
DHL eCommerce Solutions and ACS Air Courier Services Ltd., a parcel service based in Cyprus, have formed a new partnership to strengthen cross-border parcel shipping. From October, the Cypriot parcel service company will become another partner in DHL’s Parcel Union, an international partnership program which offers "Parcel Connect", a Europe-wide standardized service for parcel deliveries and returns.
“With ACS Air Courier Services, we have a new strategic partner that enables us to offer an enhanced service for Cyprus, tailored to the needs of our e-commerce customers. Our partnership model 'Parcel Union' is now available in 27 markets and we are looking to extending this network to all markets of the European Union in due course,” explains Alexander Schmitz-Hübsch, Vice President Product Management Connect, DHL eCommerce Solutions.
The cooperation between the two logistics companies will benefit both business and private customers. Thanks to Parcel Connect, customers in Cyprus will be able to receive package notifications via SMS or e-mail and specify a preferred time or an alternative delivery location via app. Saturday deliveries, a comprehensive shipment tracking system, and direct delivery to parcel shops will also be included in the new services. In addition, signatures will be recorded electronically in the future and two delivery attempts will be made if the recipient is not present in order to guarantee the shipment’s secure delivery. ACS Air Courier Services also offers customers a "Cash on Delivery" service, which means the recipient pays for the goods upon delivery.
Alkis Matsis, CEO of ACS Air Courier Services says “We are very excited about our cooperation and becoming a member of the DHL European parcel network. Utilizing our extensive presence throughout the island, including 40 Service Points and 70 delivery vehicles, the partnership gives us the opportunity to grow further in the European e-commerce delivery business for both imports and exports.”
The improved service offers will be introduced for import parcel deliveries to Cyprus (Parcel Connect Import) in the last quarter of 2019. As a next step, the services will also be implemented for outbound goods (Parcel Connect Export) at a later stage.
Parcel Connect is a program of Deutsche Post DHL Group that aims to significantly simplify, expand, and accelerate the shipping of parcels in Europe.