A customised DHL Boeing 757 freighter with rainbow symbols and stickers is saying ‘Thank you’ to all the essential workers who keep its operations and hub network up and running in more than 220 countries.
“We’re excited to express thankfulness for our brave people as well as all the courageous health care and nursing personnel who guarantee that our world can keep going in the current global crisis” said Alberto Nobis, CEO DHL Express Europe.
“Thanks to their efforts, we are able to maintain the stability of supply chains and critical infrastructure. With our special aircraft we want to emphasize our deepest gratitude and respect for their selfless actions and willingness to fight for a good cause.”
DHL Express’ intercontinental network of hubs and gateways has been fully operational throughout the Covid-19 crisis, with approximately one million Time Definite International (TDI) deliveries per day and an aircraft fleet of more than 260 dedicated planes.
The DHL “Thank you” aircraft operates a normal network flight with different destinations across Europe and beyond.
Until now the aircraft has stopped in 23 different countries and 32 different gateways including Germany, UK, Finland, Denmark, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Italy, Spain, and Morocco. Further stops in Israel, Portugal and Austria are planned.
To spread the message even more and to engage colleagues, Network Operations Europe started “Rainbow & Heroes”, which is a campaign aimed at encouraging colleagues to share their best pictures of the aircraft in different facilities through Europe.
To reach additional colleagues at the DHL aprons and inside the hubs and gateways a transport container (ULD – Unit Load Device) has been labeled with a “Thank YoULD” message as of end of May.
This container, which is used for express shipments, will be flown through Europe. DHL employees can also sign this container with a message to their colleagues from other hubs and gateways in the different European countries of DHL’s network.
Steven Hanisch, Supervisor Ramp at DHL Express Hub Leipzig, added: “We are all in this together and it is my job to support our customers in all situations as best I can and to keep operations running. Nevertheless, I am very pleased when our work is appreciated, especially in these uncertain times.
“And – or maybe even more – the contribution that the Health Care Workers make every day deserves recognition. That is why I am proud to be part of this company.”
