DHL expansion?

killerwhale65 · Post by **killerwhale65** » 01 Oct 2004, 18:43

yup, me too, wich is probably another sign that they really do not want to give up BRU.
Unlike others:

LX-LGX · Post by **LX-LGX** » 02 Oct 2004, 14:07

The discussion about the MD-11 is FAKE !

Last weekend, the three governments involved enjoyed dinner together (wine included), and they’ve all agreed to blame DHL for the huge problems they’ve put themselves in. For our readers abroad: every political party involved in this matter is a coalition partner in at least one of the three governments involved, so no political party could be blamed for the chaos. Last weekend, they’ve all decided that DHL was to be blamed.

So on Monday, all of a sudden there was that problem with the MD-11. The political pipo’s themselves changed the agreement with DHL: number of flights agreed for down from 16 to 4, and QC down from 12 to 8.

Let's all be serious for a moment: expansion means more flights, so the business plan from DHL must have included more flights with large wide bodies.

DHL has no alternative in the same category as the MD-11 (long haul, large wide-body with cargo +140.000 lbs): the B747’s have about the double noise factor and the B777F will only be available as from 2009 (if Boeing decides to make the cargo version). The medium wide-body A300-B4-200F is also too noisy, and the medium narrow-body B757-200PF/SF is not suitable for the job.

If DHL wants to expand in BRU, they need more flights with a large wide body as they have today. It's obvious that this wil not be allowed by minister Picqué and his the Brussels Region, so it's over and out for DHL at BRU.

It was quite funny yesterday evening: minister Vandelanotte said on VRT-television he received a fax from Boeing, confirming that the B777F would be available in 2009. Isn't this wonderfull??? We're one of the smallest countries of the world, and one of our ministers (not even the Transport minister) has this breaking news. JP, a-net and other specialists: minister Vandela knows more then you do !!!!!

The MD-11 is only used as emergency exit for our politikasters.

Post by **sn26567** » 02 Oct 2004, 16:35

And now, suddenly, everything is quiet. the government has a new priority: the 2005 budget. And nobody seems to care anymore about DHL, the MD-11, the night flights and the noise around the airport.

Another proof that this is all politics at its worst!

killerwhale65 · Post by **killerwhale65** » 02 Oct 2004, 16:41

well, as far as i know, arent they waiting for an answer from DHL before they continue?

I really hope the governments will all fall down over the budget and the split of BHV! They deserve no better.

Badabing · Post by **Badabing** » 04 Oct 2004, 18:32

killerwhale65 wrote:DHL announced that an answer to Verhofstads letter could take a while.

That can't be surprising. Who'd expect ANY company to send a quick reply letter involving an issue with this price tag ? One could imagine that they'd like to do a few feasibility studies. Maybe even a board meeting ?

I'd say forget the quick-reply scenario...

Allnipponairways · Post by **Allnipponairways** » 05 Oct 2004, 15:39

just let them expand , at night i here them too over my house , you get usede to it and the ones complaining dont have the money to fly if they say noise .... others who complain might lose theeir job if they shut down dhl it is not alone dhl , there are a lot of subcontractors .. think about that

greets

beaucaire · Post by **beaucaire** » 07 Oct 2004, 07:42

International courier company DHL might turn to a little-used eastern Belgian airport for its expansion plans if the country's politicians prevent it from increasing night flights at Brussels's main airport, a newspaper said on Thursday.

DHL has made veiled threats to leave Belgium, taking thousands of jobs with it, if it is not allowed to expand.

DHL's plans to increase flights at Brussels Zaventem hit new obstacles on Tuesday when squabbling national and regional politicians closed ranks to demand that DHL reduce the use of noisy intercontinental planes.

But newspaper La Libre Belgique said DHL had already sent a fax to the management of Bierset Airport near Liege in southern Belgium last Friday, asking whether it could accommodate the courier.

"The board members of (Bierset management company) SAB have indicated in a letter to DHL that the site is ready to welcome the expansion plan if the company decides not to choose Zaventem to establish its main European hub," the paper said.

DHL's plans to expand its operations at Brussels Zaventem have pitted supporters of job creation against those concerned about the environmental impact of more noisy night flights.

Bierset Airport is owned by the French-speaking region of Wallonia in southern Belgium, and local politicians in the relatively poor region would have the final say on whether to accept DHL there.

The dispute has threatened to paralyse Belgium's linguistically and ideologically fractured federal system of government.

The Dutch-speaking government of Flanders, where Zaventem is located, favors job growth, while the mostly French-speaking city of Brussels fears it will get extra noise from the airport just outside the city limits.

Belgium's federal government, which relies on broad-based political support, has been caught in the middle.

(Reuters)

LX-LGX · Post by **LX-LGX** » 07 Oct 2004, 15:03

DHL has not approached Bierset: it was the airport management who contacted DHL, and asked them to consider Bierset.

pilatus · Post by **pilatus** » 07 Oct 2004, 23:24

And DHL is thinking about the solution. We need Belgium due to the central geographic situation in Europe. Personaly I like the idee of moving to Bierset. I think that they will be saver for more complaints about noise and even the traffic around the airport is not so a problem as around Brussels. Next week Thurday we will know our future as then the DHL management will announce it plans.

ILS25L · Post by **ILS25L** » 08 Oct 2004, 08:01

Goodmorning,
If you think about Bierset, I think you have to bear in mind that TNT has its main European hub at Liège and that they will not be willing to give up their slots for DHL.
Greetz, Karl

pilatus · Post by **pilatus** » 08 Oct 2004, 15:28

They don't have to give up any slot. If you followed the request you wil notice that DHL wanted a second, seperated runway. That is the reason why it would cost 500 M € of investment for Bierset. This is without the investment that DHL needs to do in order to build the necessarry buildings. But this would be the same if they stay in Zaventem as also over here they need to build a new sort.
Just think about the possibility to make Bierset the night cargo airport and close Zaventem during night ops. Maybe a also a solution?
Wel we will see, next week Wednesday or Thursday as the management will announce their definitive plans.

Avro · Post by **Avro** » 08 Oct 2004, 18:24

Pilatus,

I hope for you that the announcment by the managment will be the best one for all you employees of EAT.

BTW if they HAVE to leave BRU I would still be happy if they stay in Belgium like you said.

Chris

Allnipponairways · Post by **Allnipponairways** » 09 Oct 2004, 02:38

as long as they saty in belgium is fine, bierset is not that far away from brussels , if youreally want to work you do drive there ...

greets

shock · Post by **shock** » 12 Oct 2004, 23:17

Yes, it was the intention for DHL to cop the blame for the failure of the Belgian government to make the call to accept more flights. They made a piecemeal attempt at compromise that DHL could not possibly accept, given they knew that growth projections needed for commercial success could not be met with these. But, as long as that had been effected, they knew that they could deflect the blame from themselves to DHL.

I seriously hope that the staff at DHL are not quite so fickle as to not realise this and worsen the situation with any ill though industrial action.

Post by **sn26567** » 13 Oct 2004, 09:02

Welcome to Luchtzak, shock.

Clearly the ball is in the hands of DHL now. And they are faced with a difficult decision: how to expand in BRU without exceeding the government noise targets.

Let's wait and see what their response will be.

killerwhale65 · Post by **killerwhale65** » 13 Oct 2004, 12:48

DHL announced that negociations with the government(s?) will continue next week.

beaucaire · Post by **beaucaire** » 13 Oct 2004, 18:03

October 13, 2004
Even if global courier DHL were to limit the use of noisy planes at Brussels Airport, this would not be enough to reach a deal on its planned expansion, a key regional Belgian minister was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

DHL's plans to increase flights at Brussels' Zaventem Airport hit new obstacles earlier this month when squabbling national and regional governments closed ranks to demand that the company reduce the use of noisy intercontinental planes.

"Even if DHL were to say today that it would be prepared to limit itself to four noisy MD-11 (planes) per night... the case will not yet be solved," Yves Leterme, the prime minister of the northern Dutch-speaking Flanders region, told Metro daily in an interview.

"Absolutely not, absolutely not," he added, when asked whether a positive reply from DHL to a letter from the federal government to replace the MD-11 with less noisy planes as soon as possible, would constitute a final deal.

Leterme said the Flanders and Brussels regions also have to agree on a fair distribution of the routes of those night flights.

DHL has made veiled threats about leaving the country and taking thousands of jobs with it if the global courier does not get what it wants.

"Those jobs are important but it has to take place within a framework that spreads the burden in an even way," Leterme said.

(Reuters)

shock · Post by **shock** » 14 Oct 2004, 00:25

Its not the MD11's of course, though that is convenient. Mostly, these operate outside curfew hours due to destination/origins. Governments are seeking a cop out and when push comes to shove, shaky minority protagonists make more noise than the silent general populus. As it ever was.

Pop politics will win out. We will know soon enough.

Post by **sn26567** » 14 Oct 2004, 09:08

Will the government's hesitations lead to a loss of 2,000 jobs at DHL and a reduction of the DHL activities in Brussels?

See the latest news: https://www.aviation24.be/article6122.html

The Belgian government had asked DHL to modernise its long haul fleet, whereas DHL had requested the authorisation to operate 16 night flights from Brussels by MD-11 in 2012, which the government can hardly accept.

In a meeting of the DHL staff council held last Monday, management had evoked the so-called Renault legislation that imposes upon companies wanting to furlough a large number of employees to discuss first with the staff council.

According to persistent rumours, failing the authorisation to fly the MD-11, DHL will reduce operations at Brussels and furlough some 2,000 out 6,600 employees. An extraordinary staff council will be convened next week, immediately after a meeting between DHL management and the government.

killerwhale65 · Post by **killerwhale65** » 19 Oct 2004, 16:38

and so the story ends ...

R.I.P.

thank you government!