DHL plans new logistics hub at Vienna airport

March 12 2018 Print This Article

DHL Global Forwarding, Deutsche Post DHL Group’s air and ocean freight specialist, and DHL Freight, one of the leading providers of road transport services in Europe, signed a contract for purchasing land in the Vienna airport region today. Starting in summer 2018, the DHL Campus Vienna Airport will be developed on premises measuring roughly 60,000 sqm in the Fischamend district. The facility will take on a key role as a freight hub for Eastern Europe in the future. By establishing a joint site for DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight, synergies between the different transport modes - land, air and ocean – are to be exploited even more effectively.

“DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight are combining the individual strengths of their two networks at the new site in Fischamend, which will lead to an even faster, more efficient service for our customers,” explains Uwe Brinks, CEO of DHL Freight. “The site is in proximity to Vienna airport and as such strategically well-located, providing us with low-threshold access to Eastern European markets and Germany. Through this project, we will establish an important new logistics hub together, creating a gateway into and out of the east and enabling us to further grow our volumes.”

Both divisions will each build a warehouse including office buildings on the new site, connecting them to the airport and linking them to its infrastructure. To date, DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Freight managed their business from three locations in Vienna, which are now being merged on the new campus. This results in significant efficiency gains, especially in terms of turnaround times and handling costs. The new site will have a higher number of docks and will also have cross-docks for the first time. The newly acquired property borders the A4 freeway, which connects the airport with Vienna city center.

“Located directly at Vienna airport, Fischamend perfectly meets our requirements for the DHL Campus, through which we intend to bundle our expertise, improve our service, and consequently further strengthen our market position in Austria,” says Christoph Wahl, managing director for Austria at DHL Global Forwarding.

“Good connections to Eastern Europe are particularly crucial for us. Thanks to our shared base with DHL Freight and the proximity to the airport, we will be able to serve this market even more effectively,” adds Hermann Filz, CEO for Eastern Europe at DHL Global Forwarding. 

The new warehouses and office buildings will not only meet the highest security standards (TAPA A) but will also comply with the most rigorous environmental protection requirements. The sustainable design and use of renewable energies will directly contribute to Deutsche Post DHL Group’s goal of reducing all logistics-related emissions to zero by 2050. In addition to alternative drives and green transportation solutions, sustainable construction methods and modernization of Deutsche Post DHL Group sites will play a key role in achieving this goal.

“The relocation of the world’s leading logistics company DHL to Vienna airport region is yet another important step for the dynamic development of the Airport City and will create new jobs while making the airport region even more attractive. This is also evident from the high level of interest shown by domestic and foreign advertisers. Given its proximity to the airport as a hub, an excellent service infrastructure and an optimal connection to the airport’s infrastructure, the Vienna airport region offers perfect conditions for business locations. The government’s decision to expand the eastbound rail link represents another important improvement,“ says Dr. Günther Ofner, Member of the Executive Board of Flughafen Wien AG.

„It is especially gratifying that the international logistics group DHL has chosen Fischamend for its new operational site and therefore creates new jobs and drives the local economy. The attraction as well strengths of the Vienna airport region are being highlighted by it,“ adds Mag. Thomas Ram, Major of the town council Fischamend.