Leipzig/Halle is favoured option for central DHL hub
The Group Deutsche Post World Net intends to extend the Airport Leipzig/Halle into the central European hub of its express and logistics subsidiary DHL. Plans for a move to the alternative location Vatry, France, are not pursued any further at present. As no political consensus on an extension could be achieved in Belgium, it is intended to maintain Brussels as a regional hub from 2008 onwards. Until then, DHL plans to keep activities running at the current scale at Brussels Airport.
All these plans will be discussed with the appropriate social partners and employee representatives following the procedures legally required at national and European level in order to make sure that all employees are treated fairly.
Following the successful finalization of all negotiations and preparations, start of operations in Leipzig could be realized at the beginning of 2008. The Group plans to invest around 300 million euros in the new site and to create around 3,500 jobs by 2012. Experience has shown that a further 7,000 jobs are likely to be created in the Leipzig area should such a dynamic, globally acting business move there. “This is a location that would pave the way for the necessary growth of DHL in the future and provides the Group with long-term planning security”, says Dr Klaus Zumwinkel, Chairman of the Board of Management of Deutsche Post World Net. “With DHL located in Leipzig, 10,000 new jobs would be created and our company would make a major contribution to the enforcement of the eastern German states.”
With annual sales exceeding 40 billion euros and some 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries, the solidity and dynamics of the leading logistics company worldwide is giving stability and perspective to the intended Leipzig investment.
Key argument for Leipzig as favoured option is the large capacity for flight operations and for the overall infrastructure. With operations running 24 hours a day, the Airport Leipzig/Halle meets the night flights requirements. The regional government of Saxony would allow an extension of the infrastructure, which above all implies the construction of a second runway and the further improvement of road and railway connections.
The company would be a magnet for business in the region. Logistics partners and customers would be able to set up logistics centers of their own. The area provides sufficient space to accommodate such growth.
