Fraport AG is well positioned to assume the responsibility for operating Pulkovo Airport, Russia’s fourth largest airport, beginning in 2010. As part of the international tender process, the City of St. Petersburg (the current owner and operator of Pulkovo Airport) announced that the Northern Capital Gateway consortium - in which Fraport holds a 35.5 percent share - is the preferred bidder. Thus, the Fraport consortium has edged out the two other competing consortia. “We are optimistic to be awarded the contract following the final negotiations,” said Fraport AG’s executive board chairman Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Bender in St. Petersburg. “Using our internationally recognized expertise we want to operate and expand Pulkovo Airport in a continuously growing Russian air transportation market. Pulkovo is the main transportation junction in one of Russia’s most popular tourist regions.”

The 30-year concession contract for developing, modernizing and operating the airport in Russia’s second largest metropolis is expected to be inked by the end of the 2009. Phase one of the concession will focus on constructing a brand new passenger terminal, expanding ramp areas, developing real estate, and modernizing the existing airport infrastructure. 

Fraport’s partners in the project are VTB, Russia’s second largest financial institute, and Copelouzos Group, a Greek business and investment conglomerate. Fraport will serve as the airport operator at Pulkovo Airport, applying its decades of know-how gained at Frankfurt Airport and around the globe.  

Russia’s fourth largest aviation gateway after the three Moscow airports, Pulkovo Airport welcomed 7.1 million passengers in 2008 and registered continuous passenger growth during the past few years. Located about 20 kilometers from downtown St. Petersburg. Pulkovo Airport (IATA airport code = LED) features two independent runways for takeoffs and landings as well as one domestic and one international passenger terminal.  

Scheduled and charter airlines link Pulkovo Airport with approximately 230 destinations. With a population of about 5 million people and some 3.5 million tourists last year, St. Petersburg is well on its way to becoming one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations.