DHL Air decides against Malta

Malta was shortlisted by DHL together with Ireland and Austria, but the group decided to set up its new European cargo airline in the latter country, not on the island.

As UK-based airlines are no longer allowed to operate intra-EU flights due to Brexit, DHL has been transferring registrations of 18 Boeing 757 freighters to Austria.

The group announced in May it would be founding ‘DHL Air Austria’ which will control operations of its aircraft out of the big hubs across the European Union.

A DHL spokesperson said the country provided “next to stable political and economic conditions”.

In a media event at Linz Airport on Tuesday, DHL Express Austria CEO Ralf Schweighöfer pointed out once again that DHL has chosen Austria over Malta and Ireland.

A well-informed source within the group has told 4NEWS more about this decision against Malta.

“Malta is currently not in a position to provide a stable environment for setting up a new DHL airline. This simply outweighs incentives and other benefits of controlling operations from Malta.”

“[DHL’s] assessment was carried out months before Malta was grey-listed by the Financial Action Task Force. A grey-listed Malta would definitely not have made it onto the shortlist at all.”

The Ministry for Economy has not answered our question as to whether it ever discussed the possibility of DHL setting up headquarters for a cargo airline in Malta.

Malta International Airport decided not to comment, citing “commercial sensitivity”.