TNT victory on night flights in Belgium
TNT Express has won a long running battle with protesters seeking a ban on night flights at its air hub in Liege, Belgium.
The city’s court of appeal said TNT had adhered to agreed flight procedures and maximum noise levels and had demonstrated its commitment to controlling the environmental impact of night flights.
It said it considered Liege’s night operation an essential contributor to the local economy.
TNT operates 43 flights in and out of Liege, its hub since 1998, between 11pm and 5am.
The company recently announced a t90m investment programme to expand capacity and upgrade facilities there over the next six years.
Niky Terzakis, MD of TNT Airways, told IFWthe company had been ahead of Belgian and EU law in flying only stage three-compliant aircraft through the airport.
“Continued operation of night flights from Liege is fundamental to the future success and prosperity of the company.
The court case clears TNT Express of any wrongdoing and the verdict is welcome news for the 1,250 people we employ at Liege, ” he said.
Polar Air Cargo last week confirmed it was shifting its European hub from Liege to Amsterdam.
The US freighter operator said it expected to cut costs and increase revenue “because of Amsterdam’s central location to Europe’s main air cargo markets”.
TNT Press release 7 July 04
TNT Express Wins the Day on Long Running Night Flights Court Case
Jul 7, 2004
TNT Express – the leading b2b express carrier – last week won a long-running legal dispute with protesters objecting to night flights at its air hub in Liège Belgium.
The protestors wanted the Court of Appeal of Liège to close the airport or to ban all night flights by TNT Express.
The court dismissed the case on every argument and declared that TNT has:
Complied with all regulations and demonstrated its commitment to controlling the environmental impact of night flights
Adhered to flight procedures, maximum noise levels, etc, and fully complied with laid down regulations. The rare instances of deviations have been at an acceptable level
Additionally, the court stated that:
Night flights were recognised as unavoidable and a legitimate necessity to a modern economy
Liège airport, through TNT’s night operation, is considered as an essential contributor to the local economy
Parties will have three months to file a recourse before the Belgian Supreme Court (“Hof van cassatie”). This would not take the format of a new court case. It would involve checking to ensure that the Court of Appeal has followed all the correct procedures and legal principles.
Commenting on the very positive outcome of the court case, Niky Terzakis Managing Director of TNT Airways said: “We are very pleased with the result of the court case which clears TNT Express of any wrongdoing and demonstrates that we are an environmentally responsible operator. The verdict is also welcome news for the 1,250 people we employ at Liège.”
“Continued operation of night flights from our Liège hub is absolutely fundamental to the future success and prosperity of the company. This is also why we recently announced a six-year investment programme, expected to total 94 million euros, to expand capacity and upgrade facilities at our sortation hub.”
“We will continue to hold constructive dialogues with our neighbours to discuss issues relating to night flights.”
