DHL Express Launches Cargo Airline DHL Air Austria

The new cargo airline DHL Air Austria will operate European freight flights with eighteen Boeing 757 aircraft and approximately 176 pilots. The new cargo airline creates 54 new jobs at Vienna Airport. DHL Air Austria is a preparation for further growth and meeting high demand for express deliveries.

(Wien, Schwechat) DHL Express celebrated the launch of the newly established cargo airline DHL Air Austria yesterday, which is now headquartered at Vienna Airport. In the presence of key partners from the relevant aviation authorities, such as the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, and Austro Control, the inaugural flight of the first registered Boeing 757 under the Austrian flag also took place.

The establishment of DHL Air Austria is an important milestone in the history of DHL Express in Austria, which began 41 years ago: “With this important step, we are making our air freight network in Europe more flexible and stable, while continuing to meet the high demand from our customers for cross-border express deliveries and providing them with sufficient capacity,” said Ralf Schweighöfer, CEO of DHL Express Austria.

In an increasingly globalized world, the importance of exports and imports is rapidly increasing, and this trend will continue even after the COVID-19 pandemic. The global networking of domestic companies is becoming an increasingly crucial competitive factor. By ensuring a robust and flexible air transport network, DHL Express is making a significant contribution to the economic recovery of the European economy after the COVID-19 pandemic. “The new airline DHL Air Austria is an important strengthening for our aviation industry and the domestic economy. This location decision for Austria is a strong signal for our country. The new headquarters at Vienna Airport also brings significant value creation for the region,” emphasized Dr. Magnus Brunner, Secretary of State for Aviation.

Crew Assignment and Flight Planning

The new cargo airline DHL Air Austria will operate European freight flights with eighteen Boeing 757 aircraft and approximately 176 pilots. The employees at the Vienna location will manage the daily operations of the airline, from crew assignment to flight planning and crew training. Additionally, safety, quality, compliance, and maintenance planning of the aircraft fall within their responsibilities. To this end, DHL Air Austria is creating around 54 new and sustainable jobs in Office Park 4 at Vienna Airport, one of the most modern and sustainable office buildings in Vienna.

“The establishment of the first Austrian airline by DHL Express and the acquisition of all licenses is a historic moment for all of us. The efficient implementation of this important milestone would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our team and especially without the great support of the responsible ministry and Austro Control,” said Barbara Achleitner, Managing Director of DHL Air Austria. “We are particularly proud that we have achieved such enormous accomplishments together as a team within nine months and that this important step creates 54 new jobs at our headquarters at Vienna Airport.”

Cake Cutting with Dr. Magnus Brunner, Secretary of State for Aviation; Barbara Achleitner, Managing Director of DHL Air Austria and Ralf Schweighöfer, CEO of DHL Express Austria (© Christian Husar)

Approval Process Completed in Record Time

After reviewing several options in various European countries, Austria emerged as the optimal location for the new cargo airline. In addition to stable political and economic conditions and the globally excellent reputation of the domestic aviation authorities, the location also offers the best geographical conditions in the heart of Europe. This is also confirmed by Dr. Valerie Hackl, Managing Director of Austro Control: “I am particularly pleased that we can welcome another airline to the Austrian aircraft register with DHL Air Austria. I would like to thank DHL Express for the good and professional collaboration that made it possible to complete this process so quickly and efficiently. It is also a sign of the high quality of our aviation authorities and a result of the high service quality we provide to our customers every day that more and more renowned airlines are finding their way to Austria. We have earned this excellent international reputation in recent years, and we want to continue on this path as a modern and service-oriented aviation authority.”

Transaction Completed in the First Quarter of 2022

After initial discussions with the Austrian authorities began in February of this year, the necessary AOC (Air Operator Certificate) and subsequently the OL (Operating License) for the operation of the airline were issued on October 18, 2021. This allowed DHL Air Austria to demonstrate to the relevant authorities all necessary procedures for operating the new cargo airline in a record time of just nine months. Currently, three of the total eighteen Boeing aircraft are already registered in Austria. The transfer of an additional fifteen Boeing 757 aircraft to DHL Air Austria is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2022. By then, the DHL Air Austria team will also have settled into its place in the modern Office Park 4 and will manage operations from there.

Photo: © DHL/Christian Husar