Below is a quick overview of events around the world that may cause delays to the delivery of your international mail.
Iceland Volcano Grimsvötn Ash Update
26 May 2011
The Iceland volcano Grimsvötn has stopped erupting. The European air safety organisation Eurocontrol today said the ash cloud could affect Berlin and also parts of Poland today. However, airports in Germany south of Bremen are not expected to be affected. There are no restrictions on flights in any other part of Europe. According to the Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC) in London, the ash cloud coverage will dissipate during the day.
As expected yesterday, the ash cloud impacted parts of Iceland, Scotland, Sweden, Latvia and northern Germany. Last night and this morning, TNT Express, like other airlines, could not operate flights to Edinburgh (Scotland), Stavanger (Norway) and Gothenburg (Sweden).
In coordination with its customers, TNT Express has rolled out contingency plans to re-route Edinburgh-bound flights to East-Midlands and Gothenburg-bound flights to Oslo. TNT Express completes the linehaul legs by road. TNT’s service to and from the US is expected to return to a normal schedule shortly.
The actual impact of the eruption on TNT Express’ operations has been limited. The company’s air hub in Liege is fully operational. Although we do not expect any major disruption to our service during the next days, we are keeping a close eye on the situation together with the aviation authorities.
Japan Earthquake: No TNT employees injured. All depots and TNT ’s head office are open
14 Mar 2011
A massive earthquake occurred in at 14:46 local time (05:46 GMT) on the 11th of March.
We would like to send our heartfelt sympathy out to all who have been affected by such a horrific disaster.
As of today, we are thankful to announce none of TNT Express’ employees in were injured and TNT is gathering information about the possible damage to employees’ homes to see what can be done to help. TNT is also assessing the impact on its facilities and operations that may have been affected by the devastation.
Although certain depots have been affected with different degrees of severity, currently all depots and the head office of TNT Japan are open for business and have begun to resume operations in a limited capacity.
TNT will do its utmost to keep customers informed about the status of their shipments and will work to resume normal operations as soon as possible.
TNT Express Collections and Delivery Timing during Chinese New Year 2011
01 Feb 2011
Collection and Delivery
02 Feb 2011, Chinese New Year Eve
- Last booking and delivery request: 1500hrs
- Last collection: 1700hrs
Kindly call our customer service hotline 1800-214 1111 for more information. Happy Lunar New Year.
Russia - Moscow Domodedovo Airport Bombing
25 Jan 2011, 1500hrs
Air traffic to Russia is subject to disruption and potential delays in the wake of Monday's bomb blast at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport. Heightened security alerts at Domodedovo - the Russian capital's busiest airport - and other airports across the country, will inevitably impact on flights to and from Russia in the coming days.
TNT Express Services is working to try and ensure deliveries to and from Russia continue as normal but, in light of the disruption, are advising customers that some service delays may be experienced in the transportation of their goods to and from Russia.
For the latest status of your shipments, please use our online tracking tool or contact our customer service department.
TNT resumes normal air operations in Europe
6 Jan 2011
TNT has resumed normal air operations in Europe since 30 December 2010. However, the severe weather conditions have caused a backlog of shipments and TNT is targeting to expedite all shipment backlog by mid January 2011. During this period, some shipments are expected to be delayed. We are doing our utmost to minimize these service disruptions and to ensure that as many of our customers’ shipments arrive at their destination on time.
For the latest status of your shipments, please use our online tracking tool or contact our customer service department.
Extreme weather conditions in Europe has impacted TNT’s operations
29 Dec 2010
Europe has been dealing with the most extreme weather conditions since the last 24 years. Liège airport, TNT’s central air hub in Belgium, as well as other European airports, was severely disrupted due to extremely bad conditions and heavy snow showers. In the past week and days this has been causing delays for shipments that travel by air in Europe. Currently the continued difficult operation conditions due to an accumulation of snow and ice are almost resolved and it is expected that TNT is resuming its normal air operation as of Thursday 30 December 2010.
TNT has activated its business continuity plan and where possible has re-routed the affected shipments onto its European Road Network, although the roads were also impacted by the bad weather conditions. TNT will do its utmost to keep customers informed about the status of their shipments and managed to resume normal operations through its European Road Network as of Sunday 26 December 2010.
Winter Weather Affecting Parts of Europe
21 Dec 2010
Areas of Europe, in particular in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the UK, continue to be severely impacted by adverse weather conditions that may cause collection and delivery delays.
TNT has full contingency plans in place to minimise service disruptions but snow storms have heavily affected all transportation networks.
Wherever possible, and with safety of our employees, our customers and the general public at the forefront, we will do our utmost to minimise impact on our customers.
For the latest status of your shipments, please use our tracking tool.
Liege air hub open and operational
17 May 2010
The ash cloud from Iceland has further disrupted flights to and from the British Isles and Iceland. TNT’s European air hub in Liege remains open and unaffected. Almost all TNT flights ran as scheduled yesterday and this morning. Where airports were closed, TNT flew to the nearest alternative airport, such as Shannon instead of Dublin, without impact on service.
At the time of publishing, London Heathrow is operational again with some restrictions and Amsterdam is expected to re-open this afternoon. But the situation over the UK, Ireland and Iceland remains uncertain. TNT is closely monitoring flight restrictions and stands ready to activate contingency plans to offset the effect of any flight ban.
Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Ash Update
29 Apr 2010
TNT returned to a full flight schedule to, from and within Europe earlier this week, as the disruptions caused by volcanic ash clouds over Europe abated. TNT’s extensive road service and the implementation of contingency plans allowed it to minimise delivery delays in Europe. Economy Express shipments within Europe continued to move through TNT’s normal road network routes in 39 countries and were not affected. All operations are now back to normal and we thank our customers for their patience during the disruption.
Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Ash Update
22 Apr 2010
TNT back to normal scheduled air operations
Thu 22 April 2010.TNT has returned to a near-full flight schedule, following the disruptions caused by volcanic ash clouds over Europe. Earlier this week, TNT resumed flights to and from Hong Kong, Shanghai, and New York JFK. The company also resumed all international and domestic flights in Europe, except to and from some closed Scandinavian airports. TNT is transporting these affected shipments via separate road linehauls to minimise delays.
Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Ash Update
21 Apr 2010
Yesterday TNT resumed flights to and from Hong Kong, Shanghai, and New York. TNT also resumed international and domestic flights in Europe. TNT operated more than 90 flights over the last 24 hours and 22 aircraft connected through its main air hub in Liege, Belgium.
TNT is hoping to return to a normal air schedule by the end of this week, pending remaining air traffic restrictions over some parts of north-western Europe, including Finland, Denmark, Ireland, and Sweden. TNT will continue to truck air shipments to and from European destinations that cannot yet be reached by plane.
Since Thursday 15 April TNT has been operating separate road line-hauls using trucks and vans through our air hub in Liege to expedite Express air shipments. Time-sensitive materials, such as pharmaceutical goods, received priority treatment. In addition, TNT continued to transport freight to and from the UK, thanks to a priority agreement with Eurotunnel. Thanks to its outstanding road service and contingency plans, TNT minimised backlogs and delivery delays in Europe.
Economy Express shipments within Europe have continued to move through TNT's normal road network routes in 39 countries and have not been affected.
Customers using TNT's Express and Economy Express services shipping packages into and out of Europe may experience some delays for the rest of the week.
Customers with time critical shipments are advised to use TNT's Special Services solutions.
TNT customer service teams and account managers are available to answer questions.
Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Ash Update
20 Apr 2010
While a few airports in Europe are starting to reopen with limited flights, the airspace above most of North-west Europe is still closed to commercial air traffic. TNT hopes to resume flights in and out of its air hub in Liege, Belgium and other European airports this evening.
TNT is continuing to operate with contingency plans for air consignments, so as to limit the impact for customers as much as possible.
Within Europe
- Economy Express shipments within Europe will continue to move through our normal road network routes in 39 countries and are NOT affected by the current situation.
- For shipments using TNT’s Express air services, our operations have set up separate road linehauls (using trucks and vans) through our air hub in Liege, Belgium to expedite Express shipments.
- TNT is able to transport freight to and from the UK thanks to a priority agreement with Eurotunnel.
- Customers with time critical shipments are advised to use TNT’s Special Services solutions.
Outside of Europe
- Customers using TNT's Express and Economy Express services shipping packages into and out of Europe should expect some delays until further notice.
Our planes and crews are ready to fly as soon as we are permitted. Should the restriction on air traffic remain in place, we will continue to move shipments within Europe by road.
More information will be provided as it becomes available throughout the day.
Customer service teams and account managers are available to answer questions.
Eyjafjallajökull Volcanic Ash Update
19 Apr 2010
As you may be aware from extensive media coverage, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted in Iceland on 14 April. Currently, the airspace above most of Europe is still closed to all air traffic. Test flights over the weekend showed promising results but it is expected that the standstill, in effect since 15 April, will continue throughout the coming days.
The volcanic activity not only affects the operations of TNT Express, but also of all companies that are active in the air transportation sector.
A number of contingency plans have been rolled out for consignments via our air network, so as to limit the impact for our customers as much as possible.
- TNT Express has the most extensive road network in Europe, whereby we are able to offer an alternative via road transport to a large number of European destinations.
- Transport via our road network is NOT affected by the current situation.
- This network therefore plays a crucial role within our contingency plans.
The expected impact on affected shipments will therefore be substantially smaller, because the above-mentioned road transport network has been integrated in our operational processes during the weekend.
For your time critical shipments, we advise that you use our Special Services solutions.
If you have any additional questions, please contact our customer service team or your account manager
VOLCANIC ASH DISRUPTS AIR TRAFFIC OVER NORTH-WEST EUROPE
16 Apr 2010
The aviation safety authorities have closed the airspace over large parts of north-west and Central Europe. According to the latest report of Eurocontrol (the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigations), airspace is currently not available for operation of civilian aircraft in the following countries/areas: Ireland, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, the north of France including all Paris airports, parts of Germany including Düsseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin and the airspace around Frankfurt, parts of Poland including Warsaw airport. Forecasts suggest that the cloud of volcanic ash is continuing to move east and south-east and that the impact will continue for at least the next 24 hours.
TNT’s air operations are subject to governmental and air traffic control regulations. No arrivals or departures will be possible at Liege airport until further notice.
TNT’s business continuity plans
TNT is doing its utmost to minimise delays for its customers. The company’s air hub in Liege remains open to process all shipments arriving or leaving by road. All inbound and outbound shipments passing through Liege are scanned to give customers better visibility.
TNT will continue to transport all documents, parcels and freight to and from Europe by road, using its European Road Network (16 road hubs, 39 countries covered). TNT Express is still able to transport freight to and from the UK thanks to a priority agreement with Eurotunnel.
TNT is working to prepare as many empty aircraft as possible for loading and departure from Liege on Sunday, subject to governmental and air traffic control regulations.
New Disruption
Belgium 15 Apr 2010
The Belgian airspace was closed on Thursday 15 April at 4:30 pm CET. TNT therefore had to cancel about 40 outbound flights last night.
TNT’s B747-400 ERF flying from Shanghai to Liege landed normally in Liege on Thursday afternoon. The B747-400 ERF from Hong Kong was re-routed to Frankfurt. As soon as skies open, the aircraft will resume on TNT’s scheduled service to Shanghai (with the regular stopover in Singapore) and Hong Kong.