Fraport Officially Commences Operations at Chin...

FRANKFURT, Germany, September 9 /PRNewswire/ --     Fraport AG's executive board
chairman Dr. Wilhelm Bender took
part in the official celebrations in Xi'an, China, this morning to launch the
German-Chinese joint-venture Xi'an Xianyang International Airport Co., Ltd.
Holding a 24.5 percent share in the joint venture, Fraport is the first
foreign airport operator to invest in a non-listed airport in China.



    In his speech, Bender stressed that the Xi'an participation is
an essential building block in Fraport's international expansion. Fraport is
convinced of the sustainable development potential of China's aviation
market. Fraport's Bender confirmed that the company is currently negotiating
other projects in China.



    Because of its central geographic location, Xi'an Airport has
the potential of developing into a regional hub in the next few years. In
addition, China's first imperial city attracts millions of Chinese and
foreign tourists annually to its UNESCO World Heritage Site, the famous
Terracotta Army. In cooperation with local partners and authorities, Fraport
will focus on developing this potential. In particular, establishing more 
international air routes is a priority, as well as developing retail and 
real estate business at the airport. Fraport will be able to draw upon 
decades of extensive expertise gained at its Frankfurt home base and other 
international airport projects.



    In conjunction with today's joint-venture launch, Fraport
officially activated its new Chinese-language Website at 
http://www.fraport.com.cn and http://www.fraport.cn. Chinese Internet 
users can now learn more about Fraport AG and its worldwide activities and 
get up-to-date information online in their own language.



    Photos (print quality) of Frankfurt Airport and Fraport AG may
be downloaded free of charge via the Internet at http://www.fraport.com, menu
item "Press Center", then "Photo Archive". Furthermore, footage material for
TV journalists is available for downloading free of charge at
http://fraport.cms-gomex.com



    
    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: [phone]; Fax: [phone];
    E-mail: [e-mail]

    Internet: http://www.fraport.com