FRA/rap> For the first time in its history, Frankfurt Airport (FRA) today recorded more than two million metric tons of airfreight in one year.  Already reaching almost 1.9 million metric tons in 2005, Germany's largest airport has now broken the statistical "sound barrier."

On July 1, FRA had already registered one million metric tons of airfreight.  By the end of November the increase in airfreight throughput was 9.1 percent compared to the previous 2005 record year.  Frankfurt enjoyed a new monthly historical airfreight record in November 2006, when 187,307 metric tons were loaded and unloaded.  The previous peak month of this year was March, when 184,414 metric tons were handled.

Here is a brief look at FRA's cargo history:  The first time that Frankfurt exceeded the one-million metric ton figure  in a single year was in December 1988.   In 2000, more than 1.5 million metric tons of airfreight were shipped for the first time.

Frankfurt Airport's importance as a major global air transportation hub is underscored by the fact that from January to November 2006 some 87.2 percent of the total airfreight tonnage was carried on intercontinental routes.  The leading categories of airfreighted goods include: information technology products, textiles, industrial goods, perishables (fish, fruits and vegetables, etc.), and pharmaceuticals.  The Far East's share of shipments to and from FRA has increased to 45.4 percent.  In comparison, North America accounts for "only" 21.4 percent.

Frankfurt Airport's Summer Timetable 2006 lists a total of 29 airlines offering regular freighter services to and from FRA.  These cargo airlines serve 84 destinations in 44 countries.

For the January-to-November 2006 period, the share of  cargo transported by freighters at Frankfurt Airport  climbed to about 59 percent. The remaining 41 percent (approximately) traveled as belly cargo on passenger jets.  Most passengers are unaware that some routes would not be economically viable without this additional cargo business – thus resulting in some routes being served less frequently or not at all. 

Frankfurt Airport's rapid growth in airfreight traffic can be largely attributed to the CargoCity South (CCS) success story.  The realization of this special commercial area for the international logistics industry at the southern side of FRA occurred considerably faster than initially expected.

The first foundation-stone ceremony at CCS took place in 1995; Fraport AG opened its giant new airfreight handling center there two years later.  In the autumn of 2006, Fraport AG celebrated the tenth anniversary of CCS' inauguration.  Well over 90 percent of the total CCS area (98 hectares) has been successfully marketed – with only a few development sites still available.

Fraport AG executive board vice-chairman Prof. Manfred Schölch, responsible for conceiving and implementing CargoCity South, commented on the successful CCS development:  "Frankfurt Airport's strong market position  especially in the airfreight industry – including traffic to and from Asia – would be unthinkable without CargoCity  South today."

According the most recent statistics, CargoCity South provides jobs for about 6,500 people and is home to more than 235 companies.   Most of the renowned logistics firms have customized real estate developments  at CCS.  These include Dachser, DHL Global Forwarding, Kühne and Nagel, LUG, Nippon Express,  Panalpina, Swissport, Yusen, and WFS.

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For More 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;  Internet:  www.fraport.com