Kurz Luftverkehrsdienste has opened its general aviation terminal at Stuttgart Airport in a ceremony at the new facilities on June 16. The following day was designated an open day for all general aviation users, airport staff and their families at the DM17.5 million centre. The company, the result of a tie-up between father and son Rolf and Hagen Kurz, has been operating GA services at the airport since April 1998 and is reported to be already in the black during its first year. Manager Rolf Kurz, a local Member of Parliament, explained at the opening that the new facilities and services on offer have resulted in the creation of 16 further jobs at the company.\rThe 1,050 square metre terminal is accompanied by two hangars with 8,500 square metres of aircraft parking space, capable of handling any aircraft up to GV size, and a further 100 parking spaces are available on the apron outside. It is hoped that the new facilities will handle 38,000 movements per year, which is said to represent a quarter of all movements at the airport.\r15 companies have already moved into office space offered at the new terminal which is 18km and approximately 20 minutes by car from central Stuttgart. Catering is provided by LSG, offering a mix of local and European food, and de-icing can be arranged in conjunction with Lufthansa Technik. Fuel is supplied from Shell through KWB of Munich. The GAT contains a vip suite, briefing room, Met office and AIS office and services on offer include car rental, limo service, hotel reservation with crew discount, aircraft security, passenger handling and local tour organisation. Limo access directly to the aircraft is sometimes permitted with prior notice. Payment can be made using all major credit cards, according to account manager Hagen Kurz, together with the Air Routing Card and, shortly, Avcard.\rThe handling team is headed up by Barbara Kick. "My aim as an operation manager is to have a team who will welcome our customers in a warm and friendly way giving them all the help they need so they enjoy using our facilities and return soon to GAT-Stuttgart," she told EBAN.\rThe operational hours are 06.00 to 22.30 local time and as requested. TP aircraft can use the airport 24-hours but restrictions are in place on Chapter 3 aircraft - their latest permitted arrival time is 23.30 and latest departure slot is 23.00.