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jethrotull
TNT got rid of them because of the maintenance costs.
As you maybe know, payload is not so important in a company like DHL or TNT. It's mainly volume which matters (hence the heavy utilisation, especially on short routes). And there is no cheap alternative for the A300B4 volume wise.
Maintenance costs will ultimately cost the B4 it's job at DHL as well, (pretty soon)
And the subsidies , that's a different story... But they are not used to keep unnecessary planes in the air. That's for sure.
If get your point Midex wise though. And share your opinion.