History Frankfurt–Hahn Airport

during cold war hahn air base frontline air base, , home of united states air force 50th fighter wing (in various designations) of years part of united states air forces in europe (usafe). 1 of several usafe bases in germany (zweibrücken, ramstein, sembach, bitburg, spangdahlem, , rhein-main) within 100 kilometres (62 mi) of each other. beyond location in heart of troop concentrations, these air bases situated reach locations within europe , mediterranean region.

at end of cold war, hahn air base had more 13,000 people , 3 squadrons of f-16 tactical fighters. when cold war threat of invasion of west germany subsided, united states left huge excess capacity of expensive airfields in europe.

as result, 50th tfw inactivated in 1991 after 35 years @ hahn. 496th tfs inactivated on 15 may; 313th tfs on 1 july, , 10th tfs on 30 september. 50th tactical fighter wing inactivated on 30 september 1991. on 30 january 1992 50th activated 50th space wing @ falcon (later, schriever) afb, colorado.

on 30 september 1993, of hahn air base returned civil german authorities usafe retained small portion radio communications site until final return german authorities in 2012. still used military charters, these flights being operated by, amongst others, atlas air, delta air lines , united airlines.

the german government decided turn former nato airfield civil airport. 1 of main investors in development of new frankfurt–hahn airport fraport ag, runs frankfurt international airport, aim being reduce amount of traffic using airport.

the faculty , police training school of rheinland-pfalz state police combined @ new joint facility located @ air base s former housing area in 1996.

development low-cost airport

the german government decided turn former airfield civil airport. 1 of main investors in development of new frankfurt–hahn airport fraport, runs frankfurt airport, aim being reduce amount of traffic using airport. however, in 2009 fraport sold 65% frankfurt–hahn shares €1 including debt of €120 million federal state rhineland-palatinate.

hahn charges airline operators less frankfurt airport has made airport popular low-cost carriers, ryanair uses airport major base.

the world record heaviest single-piece of air cargo, 189.98 metric tonne generator gas power plant in armenia, loaded onto cargo flight departing hahn in 2009 using antonov 225.

in 2013, etihad cargo announced relocation of cargo operations hahn frankfurt airport, caused downturn airport etihad 1 of important customers. additionally, ryanair cancelled , reduced capacity on several routes summer 2014 3 of 9 aircraft based @ airport removed.

in january 2014 airport announced had accumulated debts of €125 million while passenger , cargo traffic decreasing. figures mean airport closed within next ten years. of march 2015, owners, german states of rhineland-palatinate , hesse, have sought sell indebted airport.

in march 2015, yangtze river express announced cease cargo operations @ frankfurt–hahn airport in favour of munich airport. frankfurt-hahn lost largest freight customer , 4 cargo destinations. months earlier, qatar airways , aeroflot had ceased cargo operations @ airport. july 2015, airport s freight numbers dropped 36 percent.{cn}

in response rumors amazon.com intends buy airport, spokesperson airport revealed in april 2016 3 bids made on airport, 3 of them coming china. in june 2016, china s shanghai yiqian trading company acquired majority stake in frankfurt hahn airport local german government statement has confirmed. transaction, value estimated in low double-digit million euro range , involved sale of german state of rhineland-palatinate s 82.5% shareholding in airport. few weeks later has been announced sale yiqian might cancelled company failed provide first part of deferred payment airport , general doubts regarding credibility rose. finally, agreement chinese investor fell through led severe political trouble , official inquiry against responsible politicians. airport has been put sale again in mid july 2016.

later in june 2016, cargo subsidiary of air france-klm announced shut down cargo reloading point @ airport due internal restructuring measures. air-france klm cargo used facilities @ airport collect freight , transfer paris, both trucks. in august 2016, raf-avia latvia announced base 2 aircraft @ airport operate ad-hoc charter flights.

as of october 2016, process of finding new buyer loss-making airport has still not been finished. has been stated closure of airport , redevelopment business park considered option if no solution found in near future airport might face bankruptcy.

in january 2017, hna group, fortune global 500 company, announced invest 40–50 million euros in airport in 2017, if buy it. plan have 3 cargo , 3 passenger flights mainland china each week.