Express operators have tightened security after this morning’s deadly terrorist attacks at Brussels Airport and in the city centre, which killed at least 30 people and injured over two hundred more.
All flights to and from Brussels were cancelled for today, forcing planes to divert to other airports, while deliveries to the city centre have been seriously delayed by heightened security measures.
DHL spokesman Dan McGrath told CEP-Research: “As a result of today’s terror attacks in Brussels, there are a number of ongoing security operations in the city and airport. DHL Express and DHL Parcel have temporarily suspended delivery and pick-up services in the city centre and we have strengthened security measures at facilities, including our hub at Zaventem Airport.
“All flights to/from Brussels are currently suspended, and we are therefore reviewing contingency options for shipments currently scheduled to transit Brussels to ensure that they can be re-routed and that disruption for customers is minimised.” While delays on shipments to/from Brussels are likely, services to other locations in Belgium are being maintained, he added.
DHL has a substantial hub operation at Brussels Airport, with 1,000 employees, and numerous intra-European flights as well as several intercontinental services. Last year the company announced plans to invest €114 million in a 36,500 sqm new air hub at the airport, to triple sorting capacity and create 200 new jobs by 2020.
TNT Express spokesman Cyrille Gibot said that none of the company’s employees had been directly affected by the attacks. “We are enhancing our own security measures in line with the security alerts in Belgium and elsewhere, and are informing customers about this,” he said, noting that the company is in contact with airport and other authorities.
Deliveries within Brussels would be affected by the traffic closures in the city centre, he added. Operations at the company’s air hub at Liege are not expected to be impacted by the situation in Brussels, however.
A UPS Europe spokesman told CEP-Research: “UPS services in Belgium are impacted due to the recent attacks and the heightened security situation. All UPS employees have been accounted for and are safe. Our thoughts are currently with all victims impacted by these events.”
Brussels Airport CEO Arnaud Feist stated: “On behalf of the entire airport community, I would like to extend our warmest condolences to the family and friends of the victims of these cowardly and heinous acts. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the emergency and rescue services, passengers and staff for their compassion, solidarity and help. This is without doubt the blackest day in the history of Brussels Airport.”
All flights and other operations at Brussels Airport were cancelled for the day, and the airport site was entirely evacuated to give the public prosecutor and the police enough room to meticulously carry out their investigation into the explosions at the airport.
“At this moment it is impossible for us to say when operations will be resumed. There is much damage and we do not have access to the building as the investigation is still underway,” the airport chief added.
