The global coronavirus outbreak has rapidly changed the airfreight business. Import volumes at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) have risen sharply, while exports have stagnated. Transfer cargo has almost been eliminated. There has also been a noticeable shift in the shape and type of shipments towards small, loose packages. In tandem with its partners on-site, Frankfurt Airport has responded quickly to these changes, ensuring continued delivery of vital goods to Germany and Europe during the Corona crisis. 

In particular, the majority of shipments handled during the past weeks comprised urgently-needed medical and pharmaceutical protective supplies. Due to the collapse in passenger traffic, nearly all passenger aircraft have been grounded – resulting in the loss of belly cargo capacity. This missing capacity can be partially compensated by using so-called “Preighters” – passenger jets use for carrying only freight. Max Philipp Conrady, head of central cargo infrastructure at Fraport AG, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, stated: “Passenger planes being used as all-freighters require labor-intensive manual loading and unloading of cargo. Smooth handling is maintained thanks to very close cooperation among all partners involved – both in the airside apron area and on the landside of Frankfurt Airport.”

Landside cargo handlers have also noticed the sudden changes in the airfreight  business. Claus Wagner, managing director at FCS Frankfurt Cargo Services, stated: “During the past few weeks we have been handling more than 200 metric tons of medical supplies daily. In April, we handled some 730,000 packages labelled ‘protective masks’. Our warehouse facilities are operating at full capacity, and our staff are working nonstop.” Along with the composition of the freight, the inclusion of many new players in the supply chain is a further challenge. Wagner explained: “In addition to the established shipping companies, many individual recipients are currently collecting their goods from us directly. The processes are often unfamiliar, so increased coordination may be required.”

Fraport and FCS have successfully met these challenges by working closely with the other partners in the FRA cargo community. Joint solutions such as extra parking spaces, more staff, and intercompany assistance underscore the importance of Frankfurt Airport as a strategic global cargo hub. Fraport’s Conrady explained: “In recent years, our intensive commitment to building up a resilient cargo community at Frankfurt has paid off. All parties involved have communicated more effectively, and information has flowed more quickly. The crisis has drawn us even closer together as a community. Together, we are ensuring that air cargo is a vital and indispensible for delivering essential supplies to the people.”

Über Fraport AG – Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide

One of the leading players in the global airport business, Fraport AG offers a wide range of operational and management solutions based on over 95 years of aviation expertise. Fraport’s portfolio of companies spans four continents with activities at 31 airports worldwide.

In fiscal year 2019 (Dec. 31), Fraport generated sales of €3.7 billion and profit of about €454 million. More than 182 million passengers in 2019 used airports around the world in which Fraport has at least a 50 percent stake. In its Mission Statement, Fraport places the focus on its customers. The Group’s commitment to ensuring a "good trip" to all passengers and travelers is also reflected in its corporate slogan: "Gute Reise! We make it happen". This applies to all of Fraport’s business activities and services at Germany’s largest aviation hub in Frankfurt and the Group’s airports worldwide.

At its Frankfurt Airport (FRA) home base, Fraport welcomed more than 70.5 million passengers and handled 2.1 million metric tons of cargo (airfreight and airmail) in 2019. A leading hub in the global air transportation system, FRA is the fourth busiest for passenger traffic in Europe. Also in terms of cargo tonnage, FRA is one of the leading hubs in Europe.

Frankfurt Airport City has become Germany’s largest job complex at a single location, employing approximately 81,000 people at some 450 companies and organizations on site. Almost half of Germany’s population lives within a 200-kilometer radius of the FRA intermodal travel hub – the largest airport catchment area in Europe. FRA also serves as a magnet for other companies located throughout the economically vital Frankfurt-RMN (Rhine-Main-Neckar) region. Thanks to synergies associated with the region’s dynamic industries, networked expertise, and outstanding intermodal transportation infrastructure, FRA’s world route network enables Germany’s export-oriented businesses to flourish in global markets. Likewise, FRA is a key gateway for companies wanting to access the huge European marketplace. Thus, Frankfurt Airport – which is strategically located in the heart of Europe – is one of the most important hubs in the global logistics chain.

Firmenkontakt und Herausgeber der Meldung:

Fraport AG – Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide
Flughafen Frankfurt am Main
60547 Frankfurt
Telefon: +49 (69) 690-0
Telefax: +49 (69) 078001
http://www.frankfurt-airport.de

Ansprechpartner:
Anne Smirr
Director Sales and Marketing
Telefon: +49 (69) 69029-554
E-Mail: asmirr@fcs.wfs.aero
Maria Linden
Unternehmenskommunikation
Telefon: +49 (69) 690-70557
E-Mail: m.linden@fraport.de
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