DHL opts out of shipping trial at airport
Posted on Thursday, July 3, 2008
HIGHFILL - Eventually, the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport would like to have freight operations flying in and out on its runways, in addition to the airport's many commercial flights.
The grading, utilities and retention ponds are already in place along a sizable chunk of nearby Arkansas Highway 12 to support the warehouse, office and other activity that accompany such business. But while DHL, which boasts one of the world's largest global delivery networks, recently experimented with moving freight out of XNA, it quickly became obvious the market just isn't here yet.
According to XNA director Kelly Johnson, DHL signed a 12-month deal in January with the Highfill-based airport to do containerized shipping for a business or businesses in the area. While Johnson would not say which company or companies DHL had contracted with, the carrier exercised its 30-day cancellation clause, withdrawing its XNA operations on June 27.
"As we agreed with them in the beginning, it was a try at something we all hoped would work," Johnson said. "It didn't. This is why we both wanted such a short termination clause in the agreement. We are hopeful that as (northwest Arkansas ) continues to grow, we will be able to attract a freight operator to satisfy the demands of our region."
In a release issued by the DHL press office, the company said it will continue to provide the same level of pickup and delivery services that customers have been accustomed to in northwest Arkansas. DHL continues to adjust its network based on changes in the marketplace and evolving customer requirements, the release states.
According to Johnson, DHL signed on at XNA in January. Its first freight shipment did not take off until April 9. One DHL plane left XNA each day, Monday through Friday, from April through June.
"Other than the belly freight coming in on our commercial carriers, all freight will once again be transported to and from the region via truck," Johnson said. "We'll try again at some point. That's for sure. The market just wasn't ready yet."
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