- 18 aircraft are being converted for DHL through mid-2013
- Less fuel consumption and noise
- New jobs in the region
Leipzig, 11/15/2011, 11:00 AM CET
from left: Roland Werner, State Secretary of Traffic at the State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport of the German state of Saxony, Markus Otto, CEO of EAT Leipzig, and Andreas Sperl, CEO of EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke Dresden GmbH at the handover.
EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke Dresden GmbH handed over the first of 18 Airbus A300-600s to DHL Express today. The aircraft are being converted from passenger planes to freighters. Dr. Andreas Sperl, CEO of EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke Dresden GmbH, carried out the official handover to DHL subsidiary European Air Transport GmbH (EAT) in Leipzig, Germany. Roland Werner, State Secretary of Traffic at the State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Labor and Transport of the German state of Saxony, was present for the event.
DHL Express purchased 18 Airbus A300-600 passenger planes to modernize its European air fleet. EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke in Dresden is converting the planes into freighter through mid-2013.
Important part of the modernization of EAT’s fleet
“The best indicator that you’re doing a good job is when a customer places another order. That’s why we’re proud to have the opportunity to work for DHL, the global market leader in express and logistics, again. I’m happy to hand over the first of 18 converted A300-600 aircraft to EAT Leipzig,” said Sperl.
“DHL and EFW have had a long and mutually beneficial partnership. Almost exactly 14 years ago, on December 12, 1997, the first converted A300-B4-200 was delivered to EAT Brussels. Another six aircraft were converted by EFW in the years to follow and operated by DHL. This current contract from DHL is a historic one for EFW. It’s the largest order we’ve ever received. The aircraft DHL purchased were in outstanding condition even before conversion and they’ll be an important part of the modernization of EAT’s fleet. It’s also a good day for the state of Saxony, the home of Elbe Flugzeugewerke. Two global market leaders in their industries are working together in Saxony, creating jobs and a future for the people of our state.”
Up to five tons more cargo
The A300-600 offers completely new and modern technology compared to its predecessor, the A300-B4-200. With a payload of some 49 tons, it can carry up to five tons more cargo, fly 900 kilometers farther, consume up to 20 percent less fuel and generates less noise than its predecessor.
By introducing the A300-600 as a mid-range freighter, the company ensures continuously high reliability and on-time performance for years to come. “At the same time this brings us a big step closer to our goal to reduce our carbon emissions by 30 percent by 2020,” said Markus Otto, CEO of EAT Leipzig. DHL will put the new Airbus into operation on November 21, 2011, on the Leipzig/Halle-Frankfurt-London/Luton route. “What’s more, we’re going to hire 140 new employees for a long period of time as a result of introducing the A300-600 aircraft. So we’re keeping our promise to create more jobs in the region.”
“DHL’s activity at its air freight hub in Leipzig/Hall has led to a number of additional companies settling near the airport and is seen as a promising job generator for the entire state of Saxony and central Germany. This major contract for converting the aircraft awarded by DHL to EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH in Dresden has secured even more jobs for Saxony,” said Roland Werner. He also welcomed the use of quieter aircraft because this relieves residents from aircraft noise.
Over EUR300 million invested in the hub
The DHL Air Hub in Leipzig/Halle has been the operational base for most of DHL’s European air fleet since the beginning of 2008. Each day more than 55 aircraft service intra-European and intercontinental express flight routes from there. Deutsche Post DHL has invested over EUR300 million in the hub. More than 3,000 employees ensure that 1,500 tons of freight are routed through the hub each day.
Since September 2011, another DHL division – DHL Supply Chain – is building a EUR14-million, multi-user logistics center right next to the airport. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2014. The core competencies of the two DHL divisions – international time definite delivery services at Express and customized contract logistics at Supply Chain – will be bundled there and 175 jobs will be created.
