News on 7 November 2000
The companies that operate Schiphol and Frankfurt airports
have announced the name and further details of their alliance agreed at
the end of last year.
In a joint statement, the CEO of Flughafen Frankfurt/Main AG (FAG), Dr.
Wilhelm Bender, and of Schiphol Group, Gerlach Cerfontaine, announced
that the alliance will be called 'Pantares'. Under the new brand name
the two operators will be offering a wide range of services to the global
airport market.
This is the first alliance between two major international airports and
the companies say it parallels the development of alliances in the airline
industry. FAG and Schiphol Group are developing cooperation in six key
business areas: passengers and retailing, aviation ground handling and
cargo, real estate development, facility management, information and communications
technology, and international activities.
The first examples of cooperation include two joint-venture companies
to be launched shortly: one for exclusive international retail management
and the other for information and communications technology (ICT). In
the more than 100 privatisation projects coming up internationally, both
CEOs see excellent opportunities for mutual success.
FAG and Schiphol Group already work closely together on other international
projects. They expect to secure greater market acceptance and project
success by cooperating in international joint ventures such as those in
Indonesia and Thailand. The partners expect to develop business activities
in other fields such as joint purchasing, terminal development, and e-business.
Geert Freling, IFMA's
first Chairman from outside North America, will be taking a keen interest
in the development of the alliance. Formerly General Manager of the outsourced
FM Schiphol business unit, he now heads his own operation, Business Infrastructure
Management Schiphol
