Lions-Air has taken a major stake in St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport. In addition, the Swiss-based charter operator has taken over the maintenance facilities of FFA Aircraft Altenrhein.\rLions-Air ceo Jürg Fleischmann explained that one aspect of the purchase would have been nothing without the other. He said: "We had a great need for a maintenance facility for our jets, but maintenance without an airport is not interesting." He added that there is great potential in the airport, located an hour away from Zurich in eastern Switzerland, as there are no slot restrictions. \rA spokesman for FFA said: "As per May 1, the aviation family Fleischmann, Zurich and Strikwerda, Lausanne, will take over 75 per cent of the shares of Airport Altenrhein Ltd, as well as the maintenance division of FFA Aircraft Altenrhein Ltd.\r"As the first owner of an IAI Galaxy business jet in Europe, Lions-Air will boost jet aircraft maintenance in the existing facilities of FFA Aircraft Maintenance. Furthermore FFA will be approved by Galaxy Aerospace to become European service centre.\r"Since Ernst Gautschi acquired the company from Justus Dornier in 1991, he has run the airport and the maintenance centre aside from his construction business. As Gautschi wanted to concentrate on his core business, he was looking for partners and found the perfect one in Lions-Air. 25 per cent of the airport will be kept by Ernst Gautschi." \rFFA Aircraft Maintenance is a JAR-145 approved maintenance facility for Citation series 500, 525, 550 and 560, as well the full range of turboprop aircraft. The new Galaxy service centre will open up new positions increasing the number of employees from 35 to 45.\rThe 1,500 metre runway at St. Gallen-Altenrhein is equipped with ILS Cat 1 and can handle all aircraft up to RJ 100.