FRA/rap-th> Fraport AG considers the planned takeover of passenger and baggage controls at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) by the State of Hesse as an "important contribution to securing the high security standards at Germany's central air transporation hub."  Fraport's executive board vice-chairman Dr. Stefan Schulte today welcomed the creation of a task force on the state level with the goal of transferring political responsibility for passenger and baggage security controls to a state-owned company in the future.  This model has already proven successful at Munich Airport and "involves the state government directly in the performance of aviation security duties."

Schulte said this planned step will "also give Fraport AG  more planning and investment security for the future."    This is very important for a company facing intensive competition and sends a posititve message to the employees as well as the capital market. 

Schulte believes that this decision also provides greater job security for the employees of Fraport AG.  Otherwise, Fraport would have had to invite competitive tenders for aviation security services, as required by the European Union.  This could have resulted in low-cost suppliers winning the contract, with the consequence of wage dumping and job losses.  Therefore, the envisaged solution is marked by "stability and confidence in the future," Schulte stated. 

In concluding, Schulte expressed the hope that the task force will soon achieve fundamental results.  Fraport AG will play a constructive role in formulating the new plans.