UPS Inc. announced today an expansion of its Asia-to-Europe air-freight network with next-day deliveries from Hong Kong to the carrier's European hub in Cologne, Germany.

The Atlanta-based transport/logistics giant will add four weekly flights on the route operating from Hong Kong to Cologne, bringing to 11 the number of weekly flights serving the market. Up until now, shipments moving from Hong Kong to Cologne were routed through Dubai.

UPS said the expanded service will allow it to deliver shipments in one day to 39 cities and 18 countries across Europe.

According to the International Air Transport Association, Hong Kong is the fastest-growing international freight market with a projected 12.3-percent growth rate from 2009 to 2014.