Frankfurt Airport volumes up sharply

30 May 2010

Passenger levels rose 3.9% against 1Q09 and were 8.3% up in March alone - indicating the pace is accelerating - while 1Q10 freight volumes climbed no less than 33.5% over the year.

The data, which precedes the flight disruptions caused by the Icelandic volcano eruption, showed that the Fraport-managed Frankfurt Airport served well over 11.3m passengers from January through March.

In cargo, throughput in March alone rose by 37.4% over 12 months and exceeded the 200,000-tonne mark for the first time in the airport's history. The new monthly record of 203,308 tonnes represents an increase of 11,400 tonnes on the previous peak in November 2007. .

On Sunday, March 14, Frankfurt cargo achieved a new daily record of 8,511 tonnes, exceeding the prior peak on September 17, 2006. Fraport group's five majority-owned airports - Frankfurt, Antalya, Lima, Burges and Varna - received 15.7m passengers in 1Q10, up 7.7%. .

pie.(Full story first published in PIE 162 on 19 April).

PIE Comment: An interesting micro-economic indicator of general world trade health similar to, if not nearly so comprehensive as, the Baltic Dry index for shipping volumes. Fraport is lobbying hard to increase business in Frankfurt, particularly in regard to its massive Airport City development in commercial accommodation, business park, logistics and hospitality. IVG�¢â�����s Airrail Center will also benefit from growing use of the transport hub.