The CEO of the Central German Airports Group, Markus Kopp, commented on today’s decision announced by the EU Commission in the following way:

»We are delighted that the EU Commission in principle has approved the contract signed between the Central German Airports Group and DHL in its ruling today and that the airport funding for the southern runway has not provided any grounds for criticism either. We share the view of our main shareholder, the Free State of Saxony, that this infrastructure project involved investments that are not subject to the law governing subsidies. Once we have received the complete reasons for the EU Commission’s decision, we will hold discussions with DHL on how to proceed with adjusting individual clauses in the contract. There is no shadow of a doubt: this ruling will not have a negative effect on the operating business at Leipzig/Halle Airport or the business activities of companies that are working there.«

The Central German Airports Group is a publicly owned company and is developing the airports in Central Germany in a forward-looking way to meet needs. The Group has four subsidiaries: Flughafen Leipzig/Halle GmbH, Flughafen Dresden GmbH, PortGround GmbH and EasternAirCargo GmbH. The Group recorded turnover of € 112.8 million in 2007, handled 87,123 flights, 4.58 million passengers and 114.225 tonnes of freight. The Group directly employs 962 members of staff and trainees. Approx. 6,600 people work at the Central German Airports Group sites in a wide variety of companies and public bodies.