News Releases/Ad hoc

FRA/rap> Frankfurt Airport (FRA) again registered  above average growth figures in November 2007.  With 4,210,106 passengers and a jump of 5.2 percent  compared to the same month last year, FRA recorded its strongest November month in history.   Airfreight throughput also rose noticeably by 2.5 percent to 191,901 metric tons – more tonnage than in any previous month at FRA.  Only airmail traffic declined, slipping by 1.3 percent to 8,638 metric tons.

The comparably moderate 0.6 percent increase in aircraft movements in November to 40,105 takeoffs and landings and the 2.2 percent gain in maximum takeoff weights (MTOWS) to 2,311,228 metric tons show the  growing share of larger planes at FRA.  Furthermore, improved aircraft utilization can be explained by the seat load factor rising from 69.8 percent a year ago to 75.2 percent now.  The wide-body share grew from 24.8 percent to 25.9 percent.

Traffic in Europe, up 6.1 percent, was not the only factor contributing to strong growth dynamics in the passenger segment last month.  Domestic traffic surged ahead by 5.8 percent because of strike threats and actual walkouts at Deutsche Bahn (German Rail),  which led to passenger traffic migrating from the train to the plane.  Thus, many domestic routes experienced double-digit increases.  Tourist traffic to Mediterranean destinations grew noticeably again:  Flights to Turkey recorded a 14 percent increase in passengers, while traffic to Egypt  soared by 23 percent.

FRA's intercontinental traffic expanded in November by four percent overall.  Flights to South America increased by 16 percent and to North America by 3.9 percent, thanks to additional flight offerings.  In contrast, Far East passenger volume rose by only 1.8 percent.  However, Middle East traffic continued to grow stronger –particularly on  routes to and from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  

In the airfreight segment, November 2007 achieved  unusually high growth of 27 percent in South America airfreight activity, compared to the same period last year.  Double-digit increases in airfreight tonnage were also reported for the domestic, Southeastern Europe and Eastern Europe markets.

Despite a positive year to date, the Fraport Group's various airports reported differing rates of traffic development in November.  While Lima Airport's (LIM) traffic climbed by 27.1 percent to 647,757 passengers, Antalya Airport (AYT) welcomed 401,396 passengers, down 2.1 percent.  Traffic at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport (HHN) declined by 10.4 percent to 247,416 passengers.  Bulgaria's Burgas Airport (BOJ) registered a 6.1 percent year-on-year drop to 1,670 passengers, while neighboring Varna Airport (VAR) recorded 20,354 passengers and a 9.2 percent jump in traffic. 

The Fraport Group's total passenger volume exceeded  5.5 million in November 2007, up 5.9 percent compared to the corresponding period last year.  Cargo throughput (airfreight plus airmail tonnage) reached almost 235,000 metric tons, a plus of 4.6 percent. 

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Traffic Figures FRA
Traffic Figures Fraport Group

For Further information, Please Contact:
Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide
Robert A. Payne, B.A.A. – Manager International Press
Press Office (Dept. UKM-PS), Corporate Communications (UKM)
60547 Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany
Tel.: +49 69.690.78547; Fax: +49.69.690.60548;
E-mail:  r.payne@fraport.de