Lynden files complaint with DOT over DHL Airway‘s citizenship status

Lynden Air Freight filed a complaint with the Department of Transportation in support of FedEx Express’ challenge to DHL Airway’s citizenship status. Lynden, a Seattle-based freight forwarder and Alaska-based all-cargo airline, joined the cause after being spurned by the U.S. Air Force, which awarded DHL a military cargo contract worth $21 million that Lynden held for three years. “The loss of this contract is significant to Lynden and will have serious financial consequences for the company. Lynden is prepared to compete with any U.S. air carrier but it cannot compete with an off-shore operator with cost advantages unavailable to Lynden,” Lynden said in its filing. “We have reason to believe that DHL Airways intends to use an aircraft currently operating within Europe under the control and authority of DHL International,” Lynden said, stating that if true, it would conflict with the rule that military work must be done by a U.S. carrier.