'Road Show' Will Spotlight New Brandenburg Airport,
Leipzig/Halle
The construction of the Berlin
Brandenburg International (BBI) airport and the growth of freight
traffic at Leipzig/Halle provides a unique investment opportunity
for American businesses in both regions. Germany Trade & Invest
will conduct a "road show" in the US from April 21-23, consisting
of stops in Chicago, New York, and Boston to promote the region's
expansive growth potential as a new European passenger and cargo
hub to potential investors.
With construction well underway and completion slated for 2011,
the EUR 2.2 billion BBI will consolidate three airports into one
modern facility. The airport will be equipped to handle the Airbus
A380 superjumbo, and will offer optimal conveniences and
connections to passengers and businesses alike. Group personnel say
BBI will have the capacity for more direct flights to and from both
the Americas and Asia, making it an ideal passenger traffic
hub.
BBI is expected to accommodate up to 45 million passengers. This
is a timely project, as Berlin's airports reported their busiest
year to date in 2008.
Leipzig/Halle, which already serves as DHL's European
headquarters, will complement BBI, offering express freight
handling services. Several companies are currently profiting from
the airport's facilities, including BMW, Porsche, Amazon, Dow
Chemical, Dell, and Future Electronics, all having operations
nearby. As a result, the airport posted astronomical growth figures
- up 336.8 percent in 2008.
"Both airports embody the forward-looking development of Eastern
Germany," said Wolfgang Tiefensee, Federal Minister of Transport,
Building and Urban Affairs and Federal Government Commissioner for
the New Federal States. "We are setting new global standards with
the Berlin Brandenburg International airport. With this highly
modern traffic hub, the capital region will be even more attractive
for international companies interested in establishing their
European headquarters here. At the same time, the Leipzig/Halle
airport has quickly established itself as an important
international freight hub by posting enormous growth figures."
Beginning on April 21 in Chicago, the "road show" will continue
on to New York on April 22, and Boston on April 23. Events will
consist of keynote speeches and workshops with companies that are
prospering in the region. The Germany Trade & Invest airport
road show will also continue to Asia with stops in China and
Korea.