The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) will now open in March 2013, nine months later than planned, the gateway’s Supervisory Board has announced.
Following the news last week that the airport’s scheduled opening on June 3 would have to be postponed due to “safety concerns”, the Supervisory Board has unveiled a new opening date as well as resulting management changes.
The new BER opening date will now be March 17 2013, while the airport’s contract with Planungsgemeinschaft Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg International (pg bbi), the consortium responsible for project management and site supervision, has been terminated.
Meanwhile, Manfred Körtgen, managing director of operations and constructions will also leave the airport company.
The gateway announced on May 8 that the opening date of June 3 would need to be postponed since completion of the fire safety systems, and their subsequent structural approval, could no longer be accomplished in time.
BER planners had decided to complete a partially automated version of the fire protection and control system by 3 June as a transitional solution, and to introduce a fully-automated system over the following months.
However, following a recent letter from the Building Standards Authority to the airport operating company which stated that “a further application for use of the terminal with interim measures, such as a man-machine interface, will not be successful”, the airport decided it could only commence operations with a fully automated fire safety and control system at a latter date than planned.
According to the airport, in the course of the Supervisory Board meeting criticism was levelled at the BER planners' risk management, and as a result, the decision was reached that the managing director of operations at BBI, Manfred Körtgen, would have to leave the company.
Körtgen joined the airport company in 2004 as director of BBI planning and construction. He was head of the planning team and was responsible for the setting up the team responsible for the construction of the new airport.
Until a new managing director of operations joins the company, CEO Rainer Schwarz will be temporarily in charge of the department.
At the same time the Supervisory Board decided to terminate the contract with pg bbi, which is the project management company and in charge of site supervision, and comprises J.S.K. International Architekten und Ingenieure GmbH and gmp Generalplanungsgesellschaft mbH.
Schiphol Cargo – the cargo arm of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol – has formed a ‘Lifesciences Steering Group’ in a bid to develop a long-term strategy for the promotion of lifesciences and pharma-related activity at the Dutch gateway.
The move follows a recent visit to India where Schiphol Cargo and representatives of the Amsterdam Life Sciences Platform met with local pharma industry executives to discuss the development of a pharma trade lane between India and Europe, using Schiphol as its distribution hub.
Bart Pouwels, cargo business development director at Schiphol, said: “Lifesciences is one of the industry clusters that Schiphol identifies as key to the further development of its role as a cargo mainport and logistics centre for northern Europe.
“Our early collaborations and meetings have been very productive and encouraging, helping us to understand and resolve the special issues that surround global distribution in this demanding sector.
“For example, we are now in discussion with our resident carrier partners about enhancing the frequency, quality and volume of freight capacity on major routes from India to Schiphol.”
In the new Lifesciences Steering Group, Schiphol Cargo will be joined by AmsterdaminBusiness, Amsterdamse Innovatie Motor, Bioport Europe, Amsterdam Airport Area, Schiphol Area Development Company and the Holland International Distribution Council.
With the creation of the group, a programme of further meetings has already been planned in India and Schiphol.
The next meeting, to be hosted by Schiphol Cargo, will take place on June 1, and will be attended by airline and pharma manufacturing representatives.
This meeting will focus on the potential role of Schiphol in the pharma supply chain, and the creation of a lifesciences supply chain strategy.
Meanwhile, the group is also considering the establishment of a parallel programme involving lifesciences trade between the USA and Europe.
Pouwels added: “The recent award of Good Distribution Practices (GDP) certification to Panalpina, one of our resident logistics service providers at Schiphol, and the impending opening of a dedicated pharma facility by another major operator, highlight the intense interest that this industry sector is creating.”
The City of Chicago has chosen Canadian-based real estate developer Aeroterm to build a new $200 million ‘Northeast Cargo Center’ at Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
The Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emanuel, announced the agreement with Aeroterm yesterday (May 14) and said that the “massive development project will expand and enhance the efficiency of O'Hare's airport cargo operations”.
The nearly $200 million project is expected to create 1,200 construction jobs, 1,200 permanent on-site cargo jobs and 10,000 related regional jobs.
Meanwhile it is expected to provide approximately $600 million in economic benefits to the airport over the life of the agreement.
The project will be funded by a $130 million investment by Aeroterm and more than $62 million of the airport’s own funds.
Mayor Emanuel said: “O'Hare is one of our City's key economic engines and this project will vastly increase its cargo operations capacity, create thousands of quality jobs for Chicagoans, and increase Chicago's competitive position as a global transportation and cargo leader.”
The site to be developed is located on the northeast quadrant of O'Hare International Airport, in an area bounded by Johnson Road to the north, Patton Drive to the east and Runway 4L/22R to the west and the new general aviation ramp to the south.
The ‘Northeast Cargo Center’ will be built in three phases on approximately 65 acres of undeveloped property.
The first phase includes construction of a building with cargo and office space and a new taxiway connecting the development with the rest of the airport.
Subsequent phases will include construction of additional buildings with cargo and office space.
Rosemarie Andolino, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation, added: “The extensive progress we've been able to make on the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP) has paved the way for this project to commence, with new, larger runways and taxiways that allow the airport to handle the larger, newest generation of B747-8 cargo planes.
“Because of our successful efforts, Chicago and O'Hare are able to better serve existing cargo carriers and attract new cargo service, which will boost Chicago's position as an international air freight hub.”
A lease agreement between the City of Chicago and Aeroterm, which was selected during a thorough Request for Proposals process, will be submitted in June to the City Council for approval.
Panasonic Avionics has started work on its new $41 million headquarters at the Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA), as the company continues its expansion across the region.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Dr Mohammad Al Zarooni, director general of Dubai Airport Freezone, said: “We are extremely privileged to support the expansion of Panasonic Avionics in Dubai; the Freezone has created a business ambience that is supportive and productive for international companies who are setting up their base in the region.
“The unique location of Dubai Airport Freezone, both as a city centre base and a stone’s throw from Dubai International Airport, has established it as an excellent choice within this market.”
DAFZA is the fastest growing free zone in the Middle East, and provides the ideal platform and infrastructure for companies to build their own customised office buildings.
Sanjeev Naidu, executive director of Panasonic Avionics, added: “The project represents a unique facility which will serve as an anchor for our clients in the Middle East and beyond, specially in the area of repairs, media integration, manufacture of aviation harnesses and become the center of excellence for global customers in legacy In-flight entertainment and connectivity IFE solutions.”
IVG Immobilien, the owner of Frankfurt Airport's ‘The Squaire’, has secured ten new leases totalling 6,500sqm of rental space and bringing total occupancy at the complex to 85%.
The new tenants include the logistics group Panalpina, the office furniture manufacturer Bene, the food travel expert SSP Deutschland and Terminal for Kids, which has plans to operate a children’s day care centre in The Squaire in the near future.
Moreover, the Plug and Work Group, operator of the business and conference centre in The Squaire since July 2011, has also extended its space.
Wolfgang Schäfers, CEO of IVG, said: “The leases now being concluded show that we are making progress as planned in the marketing of the small and medium-sized units in particular.
“Plug and Work increasing its space is also an indicator of the considerable appeal of our location for office users who demand flexible and easy-to-reach office solutions.
“The day care centre is also another key component of our ‘New Work City’ concept that is now becoming a reality.”
Measuring 660m long and 45m high, The Squaire, which sits above the long-distance train station at Frankfurt International Airport boasts rental space of 140,000sqm.
Its core tenants are KPMG, Deutsche Lufthansa and the Hilton Worldwide Group with its two hotels, the Hilton and the Hilton Garden Inn.
IVG Immobilien owns 98% of The Squaire, while the airport operator Fraport holds the remaining 2%.
According to Schäfers, the future letting strategy for the combined intermodal and office complex will focus on small and medium-sized units in addition to a “diversified mix of tenants to enhance the building’s value”.
Elsewhere, the handover of approximately 19,000sqm of office space to Deutsche Lufthansa is planned for mid-May 2012.
Chicago's Department of Aviation (CDA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) from companies to offer “specialised” aviation planning services at O'Hare and Midway International Airports.
In a statement issued yesterday, the City of Chicago Department of Aviation asked for proposals from companies to assist with ‘aviation planning services’ at the two Chicago gateways.
According to the document, these services consist of seven subcategories of planning including; airfield, terminal, landside, environmental, financial, real estate and technical support.
The RFP is currently available at the Bid and BondRoom, City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 301, Chicago, IL 60602.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has bolstered its Airport City team with the addition of two new senior appointments.
The group has promoted Stephanie Mullenger to general manager property and recruited Suresh Gorasia as its new property and assets finance director to help with the planned €808m Airport City development at Manchester Airport.
Gorasia has joined MAG from Allied London where he was group financial controller and finance manager, responsible for all aspects of finance, construction and development accounting matters and corporate transactions.
In his new role he will oversee the financial management of MAG's assets division, which encompasses the commercial property, airport infrastructure and capital investment functions across the four airports; Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside.
However, his key area of focus will be funding the €808m Airport City project at Manchester Airport.
Meanwhile, Mullenger will oversee MAG Developments' existing €417m property portfolio following the appointment of former managing director, John Atkins, as Airport City Director in December.
She joined MAG Developments, the commercial property arm of Manchester Airports Group, as business development director in 2009.
In her new role, Mullenger will be responsible for facilities management and property management, plus the property marketing, lettings and agency; professional and customer services functions.
She also retains the remit of developing business leads with new and existing customers; and will work closely with the Airport City Director to market the €808m Enterprise Zone development at Manchester.
Manchester Airport City intends to transform Manchester Airport from a regional transport hub into an international business destination to compete with similar gateways at Barcelona, Frankfurt and Amsterdam.
It will provide five million square fee of new business space over the next 10 to 15 years, including Grade-A office space, hotel and leisure uses, retail, manufacturing and logistics accommodation.
In March 2011, the UK Government recognised the project as the focal point of the Enterprise Zone for Greater Manchester and MAG is currently preparing to engage strategic funding and development partners for the delivery of the scheme.
MAG Developments also recently secured outline planning permission for the development of 42,000sqm of new business premises on its Aviation Business Park at Bournemouth.
And in November 2011, it completed the €27.4 million development of a new 218-bed hotel at East Midlands Airport, which due to its environmental credentials and high energy-efficiency is thought to be one of the greenest commercial hotels in Europe.
DHL Global Forwarding has started construction of a new €27 million logistics centre at Brussels Airport.
The facility, which will be located at the Brucargo area west of the gateway, will occupy a total ground space of 54,000sqm and include 23,000sqm of warehouse space.
DHL Global Forwarding has been based in Brucargo since the cargo area was developed in 1980, and this €27 million investment aims to unite all DHL’s Belgium airfreight activities under one roof.
The new building will provide dedicated areas including a 1,750sqm temperature-controlled area to meet the needs of life science customers as well as other customers with particular requirements.
The construction will also involve the deployment of environmental technologies including solar panels and water recovery systems.
Jean-Claude Delen, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding BeNeLux and France, said: “DHL Global Forwarding's choice for Brucargo strengthens the status of the cargo area and Brussels Airport as a key employment platform in Belgium.
“Brussels Airport is our country's second economic driver, providing 20,000 direct and 40,000 indirect jobs.
“Through this €27 million investment in this new logistics platform, DHL Global Forwarding is reinforcing our strategy to focus on the specific logistics needs of our various key industry sectors.”
Meanwhile, Arnaud Feist, CEO at Brussels Airport, added: “The extensive freight capacity available on our many long-haul passenger and freight flights combined with Brucargo’s unique geographic location are definitely key assets.
“Today Brucargo houses many important players in the air freight chain including forwarders, road transport companies, handling firms and airlines alongside central and operational services, such as the customs authorities and the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain.
“The new direct connection between the E19 highway and Brucargo with its own access and exit system, is crucial for stakeholders such as DHL Global Forwarding having seen the intensity of the traffic flows. DHL Global Forwarding's continued presence brings a significant added value.”
The long-awaited opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) on June 3 has been delayed as a result of “technical issues concerning fire protection installations” at the gateway.
In a statement today (May 8), the airport operator said that the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport will open later than planned, most likely “after the summer holiday period”.
The statement said: “This conclusion was reached by the airport operator in view of the latest findings gathered over the past few days.
“Up until now the project leadership team was convinced to be able to meet the deadline of the opening on 3 June, also with regard to the technical requirements concerning safety.
“Following several crisis meetings over the weekend, the project leadership team has reached the conclusion that the completion and subsequent acceptance tests of certain safety relevant installations was no longer possible by the planned opening date.”
As a direct result, the airport operator added that it had decided to postpone the transfer of air traffic from Schönefeld and Tegel to BER until further notice.
Romanian airport operator Infra Group has appointed Lufthansa Consulting as a strategic adviser in the development of a new international airport for Bucharest.
The new international airport, “Bucharest South”, will be Romania’s first privately-owned airport, and the first to be built in the country for 20 years.
Lufthansa Consulting has been tasked with preparing a feasibility study and a business plan for the gateway, as well as assisting in finding investors for the new airport.
The required investment for the project is estimated at around €200 million.
Located 20km south of the capital, the greenfield airport will be built on 255 hectares of land and Infra Group intends to develop the new airport into a fully-fledged alternative to the city´s main international gateway – Otopeni International Airport – which handled 4.9 million passengers in 2011.
According to current traffic projections, “Bucharest South International” will handle 2 million passengers in its first year increasing to 4 million over the
next ten years.
The airport aims to handle both passenger and cargo flights. Blue-Air, the country´s biggest low-cost airline, also owned by Infra Group, will be based at the new airport.
Andreas Jahnke, managing director of Lufthansa Consulting, said: “Our involvement in the development of this new airport confirms our continuing commitment to the European market.
“We have the expertise to advise airport operators, owners and investors in feasibility, traffic development strategy and business planning.”
