New poss. DHL base??
 

DHL team visiting Challons-Vatry this week (LFOK). Very geared up new (3 years old 12,000' rwy) little operation in middle of nowhere (70 mi E of paris). Little pressure on BRU?? Might even coincide with drop of EAT??

Say what? What have you heard through the grapevine mate. Please, spill the beans!

I'm still putting my money on Leipzig. DHL is, after all, a German owned company. German government has pleged EUR 170 million towards the development of LEJ, which is roughly 1/3 of the total price. LEJ being in an under-developed area of the EU means that they are eligble for EU regional subsidies. LEJ is also strategically well placed for the expansion into the new EU member states, whereas as you say LFOK is in the middle of no where. But most importantly, LEJ is in Germany.

The Sandman,

The fact that DP are looking at Vatry is not new, they have been looking for sites for over a year now. Yes, LEJ will be developed but that's going to happen anyway to better serve Eastern Europe & all the new EU members. Yes, the pressure is on BRU as it is still the prefered location however there won't be any answers from the Belgian Govt. until after the June elections.

As for your comment regarding the 'drop of EAT', leave cloud cuckoo land 'cos why would any company drop it's wholely owned, Eropean, fully JAR compiant airline & maintenance organisation?

RT

CDG substitute ?

Just passing along the possibilities overheard. PS: No problem starting another wholly European-owned, JAR airline either. Not exactly cloud cuckoo land. Actually a plausible option.

New Airline? Not only a plausible option, but one they did 3 years ago.