European Air Transport
A Belgian cargo airline that became a principal DHL operator in Europe before being dissolved into European Air Transport Leipzig in 2010.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
European Air Transport N.V., commonly abbreviated EAT, was a Belgian cargo airline associated with Brussels Airport and headquartered in Zaventem. Founded in December 1971 by pilots Pirlot de Corbion and Dessain, the company initially operated as an air-taxi provider. It began flying in April 1972 with a Beechcraft Queen Air and a Gardan Horizon, and subsequently broadened its aviation activities by establishing a pilot-training school. In 1973 it became the first Piper Flying Centre in Europe, reflecting an early business model that combined commercial flying with aviation training. The company later moved into regional airline operations. In 1976, EAT began flying services for Sabena using Fairchild Metroliner III aircraft, with Convair CV-580s also used during the period. These regional activities continued until the summer of 1987. The decisive change in EAT's history came in 1985, when it entered into a contract with DHL Worldwide Express. DHL had selected Brussels Airport as its European hub, and EAT supplied the operating capability needed for DHL's expanding express-parcel network. The relationship developed rapidly: in 1986, DHL made EAT part of its group, turning the Belgian carrier into one of DHL's main airlines for European and African services. During the late 1980s and 1990s, EAT increasingly focused on dedicated air freight rather than conventional passenger flying. Its fleet included Boeing 727 freighters and later Boeing 757-200PF aircraft. The airline also expanded the regulated and specialized capabilities needed by an express carrier. On 19 January 1993, it joined the International Air Transport Association, and during the same year it obtained permits to carry dangerous goods and live animals. These authorizations supported DHL's time-sensitive logistics network and allowed EAT to handle a broader range of shipments. Deutsche Post's acquisition of DHL in 2002 placed EAT under the ownership of Deutsche Post and within the broader DHL corporate structure. A major strategic shift followed the decision to move DHL's principal European hub away from Brussels. In October 2004, Deutsche Post announced that Brussels Airport would no longer serve as DHL's main European hub from 2008. The decision followed unsuccessful negotiations with the Belgian federal government concerning a framework for expanding DHL's future flight operations at Brussels. DHL instead developed Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany as its international hub, and EAT's headquarters were relocated to Schkeuditz near Leipzig. After the relocation, EAT operated scheduled and unscheduled cargo services from the new hub to major European cities and held authorization for cargo flights worldwide. The Belgian legal entity ultimately ceased to exist as a separate airline. Under a merger agreement dated 10 February 2010, European Air Transport N.V. was dissolved and its assets were incorporated into European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH. The agreement took effect on 26 March 2010. European Air Transport is therefore a defunct airline brand and legal entity, although its operational role continued within DHL's Leipzig-based airline structure.
History
European Air Transport was established in Belgium in December 1971 by pilots Pirlot de Corbion and Dessain. It began operations the following April as an air-taxi company, using a Beechcraft Queen Air and a Gardan Horizon. The business also responded to demand for trained pilots in Belgium by creating a flight-training school. In 1973, it became the first Piper Flying Centre in Europe. EAT entered regional airline flying in 1976 after being contracted by Sabena. It operated Fairchild Metroliner III aircraft, and later Convair CV-580s, on regional services for the Belgian flag carrier. This activity lasted until the summer of 1987, by which point EAT was moving toward a different role in the aviation market. In 1985, EAT began operating for DHL Worldwide Express. DHL had chosen Brussels Airport as its European hub, and the cooperation gave EAT a central role in flying express freight across Europe. DHL incorporated EAT into its group in 1986, after which the Belgian airline became a major DHL operator serving Europe and Africa. Its fleet increasingly consisted of freighter aircraft, including Boeing 727-100F and Boeing 727-200F aircraft, followed later by Boeing 757-200PFs. EAT joined IATA on 19 January 1993. That year it also secured approvals to carry dangerous goods and live animals, extending its usefulness within DHL's international express network. Deutsche Post's takeover of DHL in 2002 made EAT a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Post and placed it within the modern DHL corporate group. The company's Brussels-centered operating model was affected by a dispute over the future expansion of DHL at Brussels Airport. In October 2004, Deutsche Post announced that DHL would establish Leipzig/Halle Airport as its main European hub from 2008 because an agreement with the Belgian federal government had not been reached. EAT moved its headquarters to Schkeuditz and operated daily cargo flights from the German hub to major European destinations. It also held permission for scheduled and unscheduled cargo operations worldwide. The Belgian company was ultimately consolidated into the Leipzig-based operation. A merger agreement signed on 10 February 2010 provided for the dissolution of European Air Transport N.V. and incorporation of its assets into European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH. The agreement took effect on 26 March 2010, ending EAT as a separate Belgian legal entity and airline brand.
- 2010
Dissolution and incorporation
[1]European Air Transport N.V. was dissolved and its assets incorporated into European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH, effective 26 March.
- 2004
Leipzig/Halle hub decision
[1]DHL announced that it would shift its main European hub from Brussels to Leipzig/Halle, leading to the relocation of EAT's headquarters.
- 2002
Becomes part of Deutsche Post's DHL structure
[1]Deutsche Post's takeover of DHL made EAT a wholly owned subsidiary within the Deutsche Post group.
- 1993
IATA membership and specialized cargo approvals
[1]EAT joined IATA and obtained permits to transport dangerous goods and live animals.
- 1986
Joins the DHL Group
[1]DHL made EAT part of its group, establishing it as a major DHL airline for European and African services.
- 1985
DHL operating contract
[1]EAT expanded into express cargo operations through a contract with DHL Worldwide Express.
- 1976
Sabena regional operations begin
[1]EAT began operating regional routes for Sabena with Fairchild Metroliner III aircraft.
- 1973
First European Piper Flying Centre
[1]The company became the first Piper Flying Centre in Europe.
- 1972
Commercial operations begin
[1]EAT started flying in April with a Beechcraft Queen Air and a Gardan Horizon.
- 1971
Company founded in Belgium
[1]European Air Transport was founded in December as an air-taxi company by pilots Pirlot de Corbion and Dessain.
Products and positioning
A dedicated air-freight operator supporting DHL's time-critical parcel and express logistics network.
Air freight · 1985
DHL express cargo operations
EAT's principal business became the operation of DHL-branded express freight services. The airline connected DHL's European network and also served destinations in Africa, using dedicated freighter aircraft and time-sensitive schedules rather than conventional passenger services.
Cargo airline services
Scheduled and unscheduled cargo flights
Following its relocation toward Leipzig/Halle, EAT operated scheduled and charter-like unscheduled freight flights to major European cities and held authorization for cargo operations worldwide.
Regulated logistics · 1993
Specialized cargo transportation
EAT obtained approvals to transport dangerous goods and live animals, allowing it to support more specialized shipment requirements within DHL's international logistics network.
Aviation training · 1973
Pilot training
In its early years, EAT operated a training school in response to demand for pilots in Belgium. The company became the first Piper Flying Centre in Europe in 1973.
Brand decisions
2010
Merger into European Air Transport LeipzigM&ABackground
DHL's airline structure had become centered on Leipzig/Halle, making the separate Belgian company redundant within the group.
Action taken
Under an agreement dated 10 February, EAT N.V. was dissolved and its assets incorporated into European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH.
Aftermath
The agreement took effect on 26 March 2010, ending European Air Transport as a separate Belgian airline.
2004
Relocation of DHL's European hub from Brussels to Leipzig/HalleStrategyBackground
DHL and the Belgian federal government failed to agree on a framework that would allow DHL to expand its future flight operations at Brussels Airport.
Action taken
Deutsche Post selected Leipzig/Halle Airport as DHL's international European hub and relocated EAT's headquarters to Schkeuditz.
Aftermath
EAT operated from the German hub before its Belgian legal entity was ultimately consolidated into European Air Transport Leipzig.
1986
DHL incorporates European Air TransportM&ABackground
The operating relationship established in 1985 proved sufficiently important to DHL's European network that DHL decided to bring EAT into its group.
Action taken
EAT became part of the DHL Group and served as a major DHL airline for Europe and Africa.
Aftermath
The company shifted decisively toward dedicated express cargo operations.
Sources1 sources
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