…
Fraport AG continued to serve as a major economic engine during the first three quarters of 2009 – particularly in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region. Already during the first nine months of the year Fraport awarded contracts totaling more than 1 billion euros. Particularly positive: With a total investment volume of more than 620 million euros, the majority of these contracts was awarded under competitive tenders to firms throughout the Frankfurt Airport (FRA) region.
“In 2009, after only nine months, we have already exceeded the 1 billion euros mark for contracts awarded,” explained Fraport executive board chairman Dr. Stefan Schulte. “This clearly underscores the immense importance that Frankfurt Airport and Fraport AG have for the economic structure of Germany and, in particular, the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region.”
The strong climb in the contract volume in 2009 was due largely to the numerous reconstruction and expansion projects now in full swing at Frankfurt Airport. These include fire safety enhancements at the terminal facilities as well as construction of the new Pier A-Plus at Terminal 1. Civil engineering contracts for the new Runway Northwest alone reached about 75 million euros. Furthermore, approximately 45 million euros were spent on nature protection projects for reforestation and environmental improvements.
In the first nine months of 2009, 46.9 percent more contracts overall were placed with companies in the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region year-on-year. Contracts were mainly placed with medium-sized companies and tradesmen businesses. “This clearly speaks for the competitive performance of regional businesses and their employment security,” emphasized Schulte. “According to available estimates, 1 billion euros in annual investments at Frankfurt Airport secure more than 25,000 jobs at the contracted companies.”
The majority of Fraport AG’s purchasing volume in the first nine months of 2009 benefited smaller companies in the airport vicinity. Some 86 percent of all contracts placed in the first nine months of 2009 had a maximum value of 10,000 euros – thus ensuring the viability of numerous small and medium-sized companies.
In detail, Fraport AG’s contracts in the first three quarters of 2009 break down as follows: Nearly half of the contract volume (500.2 million euros) went to construction companies in the region. Well over 275.2 million euros were spent on goods and services. Architectural, engineering and consulting services amounted to 102.6 million euros. Another 135 million euros of Fraport AG’s total contract volume were spent on building maintenance, IT services as well as the purchase of technical services. “With Frankfurt Airport, Fraport AG is not only responsible for Germany’s biggest employment complex at a single location but also gives decisive impulses for the economic development of the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region.” This clearly shows the importance of Frankfurt Airport for the economy strength of the region and for employment security in many small and medium-sized businesses,” Schulte concluded.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
