At a press conference in Frankfurt today, Ryanair Chief Operating Officer Michael Cawley said that the airline may buy a minority shareholding in Frankfurt Hahn Airport. He said that the airport is a "valuable asset" and that there should be "no shortage of people who would want to buy it".
Last year Ryanair accounted for 95% of the 4.2m passenger throughput at the airport which is 65% owned by airport operating company Fraport. In 2007, Hahn was the only division within Fraport to fail to make a profit, generating a loss before income and tax of €10m. In 2006 the airport generated a similar size loss. The recently announced plan by Fraport to implement a €3 per passenger fee would have been sufficient to generate at least a break even going forward but Ryanair were unwilling to pass the charge on to their customers. Since Fraport are unwilling to retain a loss making entity they have now decided to sell their share in the airport.
Speaking today Michael Cawley said that Ryanair were happy that the uncertainty has been removed. He further confirmed that Ryanair will increase the number of aircraft based in Hahn from the present level of 11 to 18 units by 2013.
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