DHL Express Germany and Munich Airport have signed a deal to build a new €70 million cargo building at the Bavarian hub. In a fi rst for the two companies, they signed the contract digitally to observe COVID-19 restrictions.
The new building will be built on a site currently occupied by two car parks and will have a fl oor area of 86,111sq ft (8,000m²), which is six times bigger that than its current facility. DHL Express said it will plan, build and operate the new building on land leased from Munich Airport. The company already rents hall space in Munich’s existing cargo centre, but expects to launch operations at its new location in 2022.
Markus Reckling, managing director of DHL Express Germany, said the company’s import and export volumes had increased substantially at Munich: “The existing building could not keep up with this growth. After modernising and expanding our service centre in Unterschleißheim for €13m last year, the construction of our new gateway at [Munich] is the next step in the infrastructure plan, with which we are clearly committing to our presence in the region. Even in the currently difficult economic situation, we are continuing to invest systematically in service for our customers, which is our top priority.”
The new Munich facility will have direct airside access and two PUD (pick-up and delivery) ‘fi ngers’. DHL said it will be able to accommodate 65 delivery vehicles simultaneously. It will also be built to meet the security requirements of the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), with the aim of receiving the globally recognised TAPA Class A certifi cation, the highest security level in air transportation.
Welcoming DHL’s decision to increase its presence at Munich Airport, CEO Jost Lammers said: “Particularly in these very difficult times for the aviation industry, this sends an important signal and is a strong proof of confi dence in Munich as a business location. The increased commitment of DHL Express will sharpen our profi le as a logistics location and create signifi cant stimulation for air freight traffic.”
