Fraport AG Key Partner for Building and Managing Berlin's New Airport at Schönefeld

Frankfurt / Germany - A key partner in the BBIP consortium, Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide, will be providing its know-how for the new Berlin-Schönefeld airport project in Germany's capital. Along with operating the three existing Berlin airports, the BBIP consortium will plan, build and manage - for 99 years - the new Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport (BBI). Fraport AG, which owns and manages Germany's largest airport (Frankfurt Airport = FRA), has developed wide-ranging airport expertise over many decades at Frankfurt.

Fraport has been participating in the privatization process for the Berlin airports since 1997. Fraport AG has a seven-percent share in the BBIP consortium. To be built in Schönefeld south of the city center, Berlin's new airport will be well connected to the city by autobahn (road) and rail. This is Germany's first airport to be built with private financing. Planning for the project began more than a decade ago.

As part of the privatization bid, Fraport AG has already delivered important airport-specific elements for the project. These included input regarding the economic potential of the new airport (retailing and gastronomy, car parking management, etc.). Furthermore, expertise was also provided for the BBI technical development concept. Fraport specialists have also analyzed the long-term traffic potential of Berlin's new airport.

Commenting on the advancement of the Berlin project, Dr. Wilhelm Bender, Fraport AG's executive board chairman, said: "Fraport's expertise in building and managing an intercontinental air transport gateway will provide BBI with a tremendous advantage in marketing the capital city as a destination. Our specialists are pleased to provide their experience and know-how to Berlin." Fraport AG is actively involved at many airports in Germany, Europe and around the globe.