The operators of Cologne and Düsseldorf Aviation Services (CAS/DAS) have opened a facility

at Frankfurt Airport. The inauguration of Frankfurt Aviation Services (FAS) takes the company’s tally of German FBOs to three.

The operation was opened after NetJets asked the company to assist them at Frankfurt.

Andreas Becker told EBAN: “Previously, the only handling available was from the airport authority – FRAGAS. NetJets asked for our help so we made an application to the authority and started operations.”

While NetJets provided much of the company’s early business, FAS also attracted the attention of Houston’s Air Routing. Said Becker: “They have a lot of private aircraft flying into Frankfurt so this has also been a good source of income. We are very satisfied that so many customers have changed to our company and it seems that we will have many more coming next year.”

FAS believes corporate aircraft operators have been attracted to them because they are a small company with a keen eye for detail. Said Becker: “It’s always difficult if the airport authority has a monopoly over business aircraft handling.

“In executive aviation, there are many special wishes and demands and a small team like our company can handle these desires much better.

“Even something as simple as the right magazine or newspaper can become a big issue if it is not provided. After all, you don’t pay $200,000 for a flight to the States without getting exactly what you want.”

FAS estimates that it will attract as many as 1,000 corporate aircraft movements next year, despite attracting a quarter of that number from April to December of last year. Said Becker: “We are increasing our marketing activity with adverts and by sending out mailings.

“250 aircraft was good for last year but we can easily have four times that next year. There are so many flights every day; we normally see up to 20 large private aircraft.”

In addition to traffic from NetJets and Air Routing, FAS has also handled aircraft from TAG Aviation and Jeppesen Corporate Flight Services, and an A319CJ from Aero Services Executive and a 757 from PrivatAir. Indeed, there’s no limitation on the size of aircraft that the company can handle.

And recently, Bombardier became resident for a week while they demonstrated their Canadair 900 regional jet to the press, to Lufthansa and to other airlines.

One of the big issues at Frankfurt, says Becker, is airport coordination. He explained: “The airport is very restricted due to all the commercial airlines coming in, so it is important that our customers get the right airport slots.

“Sometimes this means getting them at the last moment but we represent our clients well to the airport coordinator, in order that they get the slots they want.”

As regards the company’s facilities at Frankfurt, FAS uses two offices next to the general aviation terminal. Said Becker: “We have had problems expanding so far but we are hoping to open a nice vip lounge in the GA terminal during 2003.”

Also at Frankfurt, FAS rents out an office to Lufthansa Bombardier, who provide maintenance. “That’s a good complement to our service,” said Becker, “as we don’t have maintenance ourselves.”

Corporate traffic is generally attracted to Frankfurt because the city plays host to all the major banks, including the European Central Bank. It is also a major centre for major insurance companies.

With respect to FAS’ plans for next year, Becker told EBAN that it plans to expand in one of Germany’s most diverse cities.

He said: “We are taking a close look at Berlin for the near future. It depends on whether we find some partners – we are talking to different companies at the moment.

“It should cover all three airports in Berlin but we’ll have to see how we can do it because that’s quite an investment.”