DHL Threatens to Quit Brussels

DHL, the express subsidiary of DPWN, has threatened to move its European hub from Brussels if plans for its growth are not approved by the Belgian authorities. Such a move would bring about the loss of 3,000 existing and up to 9,000 future jobs making the decision politically explosive. At present there is a cap on night flights in and out of the airport and the Belgian government is committed to retaining this level due to pressure from local residents. However DHL has requested that this limit be lifted from 25,000 a year to 34,000 by 2012. DHL presently accounts for 16,000 night flights out of a total 21,000 pa. Expansion would allow it to increase its throughput from 1,000 tonnes per night to 5,000 tonnes. It has also demanded that its presence at the airport be guaranteed for another 30 years. It is believed that the Belgian government asked DHL to consider splitting its operations between Brussels and a regional airport. However this alternative has been dismissed by the carrier. In order to increase pressure on the government, DHL’s management has let it be known that it has received interest from other airports in France and Germany. Stuttgart and Leipzig are both thought to be lobbying strongly to become DHL’s main hub in Europe. The Belgian government is expected to discuss the issue this week.