22.11.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 312/31 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 2 July 2008 on State aid C 18/07 (ex N 874/06) which Germany is planning to implement for DHL (notified under document number C(2008) 3178) (Only the German text is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2008/878EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having called on interested parties to submit their comments pursuant to those provisions (1), Whereas: 1. PROCEDURE By letter dated 21 December 2006, Germany notified the Commission of training aid for DHL. By letter dated 27 June 2007, the Commission informed Germany that it had decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the aid for DHL. The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the () O] C 213, 12.9.2007, p. 28. G) European Union (%). Germany submitted its comments by letter dated 26 September 2007. The Commission called on interested parties to submit their comments. DHL and UPS Germany submitted their comments by letters dated 15 October and 26 October 2007 respectively. The observations of the third parties were submitted to Germany for comment by letters dated 16 November and 20 November 2007. Germany replied by letter dated 14 December 2007. The Commission requested additional information by e- mails of 12 February and 5 June 2008, to which Germany replied by letters dated 14 February, 31 March and 17 June 2008. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT 2.1. The beneficiary DHL is one of the largest express parcel operators, with a worldwide turnover of EUR 18,2 billion in 2005. It is wholly owned by Deutsche Post AG. DHL has built a new air logistics centre for delivery and airfreight in Leipzig-Halle, Germany, which was expected to become operational by the end of October 2007. The entire investment costs of this project amounted to EUR 250 million. In April 2004 DHL was granted some EUR 70 million in regional investment aid, which was approved by the Commission as State aid N 608/2003 with a maximum aid intensity of 28 %. () See footnote 1.