German DHL can open cargo hub at Lepizig/Halle
DHL, the express and logistics unit of German postal services group Deutsche Post AG, has cleared its way to establishing its own cargo hub at the Leipzig/Halle airport, following a decision by the District Court in Leipzig, allowing nighttime landings and takeoffs only for cargo aircraft, it was reported on November 9, 2006.
The ban is pending the approval of the regional council.
The court ruling has thus ensured Leipzig/Halle’s becoming an international cargo hub airport.
The reconstruction of the new 290 mln euro (USD369.9 mln) southern runway is progressing according to plan and is scheduled to start operation by the summer of 2007.
However, due to the excessive noise caused by the night flights, the court has retained its right to further revise the matter.
[Editor’s note: In May 2005, the court ruled against a collective lawsuit filed by a citizens’ committee which sought to shut down the new 24-hour-operation runway project, pointing out that it would create more than 10,000 jobs by 2008. The project for turning the Leipzig/Halle airport into a cargo hub airport involved the extension and reconstruction of the airport’s southern runway by 3,600 metres, the German News Digest reported on May 20, 2005.]
