Commenting on the ACI EUROPE Best Airport Award in the ‘5-10 million passenger’ category, Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board, Cologne Bonn Airport, said: “It is nice motivation and good for the reputation of Cologne Bonn Airport. But we will not rest on our laurels, and intend to keep improving.”
Cologne Bonn Airport is enjoying success on myriad levels, with strong passenger growth, new low-cost long-haul services, and this year’s ACI EUROPE Best Airport Award in the ‘5-10 million passenger’ category. Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board, outlined to Ross Falconer the steps Cologne Bonn Airport is taking to further enhance the passenger experience.
Cologne Bonn Airport attaches great value to innovation and service across all aspects of its business. Indeed, the airport has changed dramatically over the past decade. It has doubled passenger numbers as a result of its focus on low-cost traffic; its infrastructure has been expanded and transformed, with modern terminals and a large retail area; and it was the first airport in Germany to introduce a free WiFi service with no time restrictions.
“With our colourful brand presence, we have repositioned ourselves internationally and have remained true to our roots in the Rhineland in doing so. Passengers and airlines obviously appreciate that,” Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board, Cologne Bonn Airport, commented.
The latest recognition came in the form of its recent ACI EUROPE Best Airport Award in the ‘5-10 million passenger’ category. The judges praised Cologne Bonn Airport for “investing in expansion while minimising the impact on day-to-day operations” and “a commitment to providing a strong relationship with the local community”.
“When we improve our product, or optimise our operational processes, we always have our airlines in mind, because they need optimum conditions at all times. That applies especially to the specific requirements of the low-cost carriers, such as short turnaround times,” Garvens explained. “The same applies to our neighbours. Acceptance in our environment is very important to us. The airport is our region’s gateway to the world and something people identify with.”
Among Cologne/Bonn’s passenger experience enhancements over the past year is a significantly extended retail offering. The airport now has over 50 shops and restaurants, and also utilises its smartphone app to offer gift tokens and discount promotions to travellers. There is also an emphasis on making Cologne/Bonn a family-friendly airport, with a dedicated security lane for parents travelling with children.
Low-cost long-haul developments
The airport saw passenger numbers rise by 4% to 9.5 million in 2014, and the growth trend is continuing in 2015 with an 8% increase to over 4.5 million passengers in the first six months of the year. The next few months look like being very exciting indeed. “The new Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings will be starting low-cost long-haul flights for the first time in November,” Garvens said. “That is unique in this form in Europe so far and will change the competition on the long-haul market. It is a huge opportunity for Cologne/Bonn. After the two major hubs, with Eurowings we will be the third Lufthansa base for long-haul flights, and we intend to establish ourselves in that segment over the long-term.”
Eurowings will offer 21 long-haul flights each week to 10 destinations, among which are Dubai, Thailand and the Caribbean.
The biggest growth driver among the airlines in the first half of 2015 was Ryanair, which is continuing to grow by basing two more aircraft at Cologne/Bonn this autumn and expanding its route network in the winter schedule to 17 destinations.
Building on the success of its route development strategy, Garvens highlighted the China and North America markets as interesting. “There are strong airlines there and a growing demand for connections to Europe,” he commented. “The topic of low-cost long-haul is playing an ever greater role there in particular. A lot will happen there over the next few years and we want to be part of that as the German low-cost market leader.”
Meanwhile, as part of the biggest maintenance and restructuring programme in its history, the airport plans to invest around €100 million by 2022 in preserving its infrastructure. €70 million of that will deliver renovation of the runway system – the heart of the airport.
Cologne Bonn Airport is clearly not resting on its laurels and has a strong commitment to keep improving. “We are setting the course for a prosperous future for the airport. Our success story continues. We are presently growing twice as fast as the German market and will crack the magical mark of 10 million passengers again this year, which represents 6% growth. I am certain that a further chapter will be added to that story in 2016 as well,” Garvens concluded.
