Pilots call for more DHL-UPS investigation       

Monday, 27 October 2008 

Pilots affected by the proposed DHL-UPS hookup in the US have called on Congress to further investigate the deal after UPS allegedly tried to raid DHL's customer base through its corporate website http://switchnow.ups.com

The website explains how DHL customers can ensure their packages reach their destinations by switching to UPS, a pitch that is especially effective in light of the fact that DHL will now depend on UPS for transportation and processing of all its products.

"This website reveals the true nature of this deal, which was never designed to provide better package delivery services to the North American public," said Captain John Prater, president of pilots’ union ALPA. "Congress needs to get to the bottom of this deal, which is bad for the already struggling US economy."

The statements on the UPS website contradict UPS’s and DHL's testimony before Congress during a September 16 hearing before the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where UPS and DHL executives reassured members of Congress that this deal was not a merger and did not violate antitrust laws, he said.

The agreement between DHL and UPS would give all of DHL's North American cargo air transport operations to UPS, one of its main competitors, effectively closing ASTAR Air Cargo and Airborne Express (ABX).

The deal is taking place even though DHL has a 49 per cent stake in ASTAR. -Jack Handley