Express company DHL Worldwide to set up UK airline

DHL Worldwide Express is setting up an airline in the United Kingdom. According to Terry Nord, DHL’s global network transportation director, the move is being driven by increased customer demand and will help the company “maintain our position as having the most advanced air express fleet in the world”.

The new UK airline, which will be wholly-owned by sister company DHL International, is due to be officially named at the end of April. It will be based at East Midlands Airport in central England where DHL recently invested in the development of a new hub operation. “The airline will provide air express and logistics uplift from East Midlands to DHL customers across 119 countries in its Europe and Africa region,” comments a DHL spokesperson.

Functions of the new carrier will include being responsible for the operation of 23 B757SFs (special freighters) which form part of a total order for 34 ex-British Airways B757-200 aircraft currently being converted into freighters by Boeing Airplane Services. DHL’s Brussels-based European Air Transport (EAT) airline will operate the other 11 aircraft included in that order, together with two B757-200 production freighters and the rest of DHL’s current Europe and Africa fleet. It will also provide all technical support for the entire DHL B757 fleet. “The aircraft of both airlines will operate at hubs throughout the Europe and Africa region,” adds the company spokesperson.

DHL has also just announced a new development on the other side of the Atlantic. See “Pak Mail signs corporate agreement with DHL Airways” in Corporate Announcements (March 20).