May 2002 - FRA Traffic Results: Fraport AG Expects Passenger Figures to Rise Again in the Third Quarter

Positive Conclusion of the Regional Planning Procedure CreatesOptimism; FRA Remains Our Main Partner" Says Lufthansa's Weber

Frankfurt, Germany 14. 6. 2002 (PROTEXT/ots) - FrankfurtAirport's (FRA) traffic figures show that May 2002 was the bestmonth so far this year. Some 4.2 million passengers used FRA inMay 2002, only 1.3 percent less than the same month last year.This relatively good result is due to low base-year figures --in May last year Lufthansa pilots were on strike. Still, theresult confirms Fraport AG's estimate that the first positivetraffic figures can be expected in the third quarter of 2002.Fraport continues to be concerned about the sluggish economy andthe still weak tourism business. In this connection German touroperators say that economic factors are holding back holidaybookings, although with increasing price sensitivity somedestinations are beginning to show growth again. For example,FRA's Turkish market is showing positive results; and Egypt isalso moving towards growth.

Air cargo tonnage at Germany's largest airport saw positivedevelopment in May 2002. FRA, handled some 121,100 metric tonsof airfreight, up two percent over the same month last year.Experience shows that the air cargo sector is an important earlyindicator for a developing world economy. Therefore, the currentresults could be an indicator for the expected recovery in theglobal economy during the second half of 2002. At the same time,the results could also be the first sign of the hoped forrebound in Germany.

Like Fraport AG, the airlines also expect a recovery.Lufthansa's executive board chairman, Dipl.-Ing. Jürgen Weber,confirmed this today in joint press conference at FRA held withFraport AG's executive board chairman, Dr. Wilhelm Bender.Lufthansa is counting on growth and is counting on the expansionof Frankfurt, its main base," said Weber. "FRA is important formany reasons including its overwhelming significance for theGerman export economy." Weber welcomed the conclusion of theRegional Planning Procedure (ROV) as a key step for Fraport AG'sexpansion plans. Frankfurt must not be slowed down," demandedWeber, "because FRA is and will remain our main partner."

Bender also spoke positively of the ROV decision, whichevaluated the Runway Northwest option as the most compatiblewith regional planning requirements. "This important evaluationis a vital stop for Germany's role in air transportation andwill allow FRA to participate in medium and long-termdevelopment and growth opportunities in the aviation sector,"said Bender,

The current number of aircraft movements (takeoffs andlandings) at FRA also reflects the aviation industry's of animminent upswing. In May 2002, FRA recorded its first positiveresults in this traffic category, with 39,209 takeoffs andlandings (an increase of 0.4 percent over the same period lastyear). By the end of May, the airlines had resumed most of theflights that they had temporary suspended after 9/11. However,the airlines continue to use smaller aircraft for some services.Thus, the Maximum Takeoff Weights (MTOW) reached 2.1 millionmetric tons in May 2002, 2.6 percent below the same month lastyear.

Frankfurt Airport's Traffic Figures for May 2002

May 2002

Change (2) Jan.-May Change (2)

May 02/

2002

Jan.-May

May 01

02/01

Passengers

4.2

-1.3%

18.6

-4.2% in millions

Airfreight

121.1

2.0%

594.7

-4.5% in thousands of metric tons

Airmail

10.9

4.5%

57.8

0.4% in thousands of metric tons

Aircraft

39.2

O.4%

183.4

-1.6% Movements (1) in thousands

MTOWs

2,120.1

-2.8%

9,820.8

-6.1% in thousands of metric tons

Punctuality

86.5

81.4 share of punctual arrivals and departures in percent

(1) Excluding military flights (2) Rate of change based on unrounded numbers ots Original Text Service: Fraport AG Im Internetrecherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de For More Information, Please Contact: Fraport AG FrankfurtAirport Services Worldwide Attn: Robert A. Payne - ManagerInternational Press 60547 Frankfurt am Main, Germany Tel.: +49 69690 -78547 / Fax: +49 69 690 -60548 E-Mail: r.payne@fraport-de/Internet: www.fraport.com

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