German airport expansion approved

The European Commission has given approval for German authorities to give financial support for the development of two airports.

The Kassel-Calden airfield in the North Hessen region of Germany will receive € 114 million from Land Hessen in the district of Kassel and the municipality of Calden for the development of the airport.

The development includes the extension of an existing runway and associated taxiways and aprons, a new terminal building and technical facilities. The upgraded airport, which is scheduled to commence operations in 2011, will handle scheduled, charter, commercial and cargo traffic.

It will also be able to take flights away from the Frankfurt main airport, which may face capacity and night flight restrictions in the future.

Support has also been given to an € 11 million grant issued by Land North Rhine-Westphalia for the development of the Münster/Osnabrück Airport. Along with € 49 million generated from capital increases of the shareholdings in the airport's operator, the development will see the airport capable of taking intercontinental flights and air cargo as the current runway is extended from 2170 to 3000 m.