DHL Express has announced it will transform its European airline operations with the United Kingdom's DHL Air (D0, East Midlands) transitioning into a long-haul specialist with a fleet of B767-300F and B777-200F freighters, while all of its B757 freighters will be transferred to a new carrier named DHL Air (Austria) (DHA, Vienna).

The logistics firm said the Austrian start-up has already begun its certification drive and hopes to complete it in time to launch by year-end. The new company, which will be headquartered near Vienna airport, will not affect DHL's existing European network.

"Flight plans and operational network (hubs/gateways) will not be affected by this more legal and administrative change," a DHL spokesman confirmed to ch-aviation.

DHL Air Austria will take over all B757 freighters from DHL Air and run intra-European flights. According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, the British unit currently has eighteen B757-200(PCF)s and five B757-200(SF)s in its fleet.

Once the B757s are moved to the new unit, DHL Air will consolidate...