The dispute between the Frankfurt airport operator Fraport and Lufthansa over ground handling fees is escalating ahead of the annual general meetings of both companies. Fraport's CFO Matthias Zieschang told FAZ: "We have made it clear that the party is over. April 1 of next year, the new contract must ensure full cost coverage." The existing major contract for handling Lufthansa aircraft through a Fraport subsidiary runs until spring 2027.
Lufthansa has reacted with anger and is putting pressure on the airport operator. As reported by the Frankfurter Neue Presse, the airline threatens to relocate flights to other locations if fees increase. This dispute is not new: there have been repeated conflicts in the past over landing and handling fees at Germany's largest airport.
The background of the conflict includes rising costs for Fraport, driven by higher energy prices and investments in infrastructure. Lufthansa, on the other hand, is suffering from massive cost increases in fuel and staff shortages. According to n-tv, Fraport has signaled some willingness to compromise in an initial response but has maintained its fundamental demand for cost coverage.
Shareholders of both companies will be informed about the developments at the upcoming annual general meetings. A resolution before the contract expires in 2027 is considered uncertain, as both sides are sticking to their positions.
