Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board, Cologne Bonn Airport: “Digitalisation is a megatrend. We have a new airport app with which, among other things, travellers can book parking spaces at the airport in advance, and which offers rapid orientation using the map and terminal guide. Our passengers also receive attractive discounts through the app, with coupons for the restaurants and shops.”
Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board, Cologne Bonn Airport, interviewed by Ross Falconer.
Cologne/Bonn is strategically positioned as the leading low-cost airport in Germany. Its story is one of sustainable success, and as an airport situated between two bigger competitors – Frankfurt and Düsseldorf – Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board, is clear that Cologne Bonn Airport “can only succeed with the right strategic direction.”
A record year in 2015 saw the airport grow by 9% to 10.3 million passengers. “With that, Cologne/Bonn was one of the strongest-growing airports in Germany, and in the fourth quarter even the frontrunner with growth of around 17%,” Garvens says.
The launch of low-cost long-haul flights by Lufthansa-owned Eurowings in November, as well as six new Ryanair destinations, contributed significantly to last year’s traffic growth, which is forecast to continue with over 11 million passengers expected in 2016. Indeed, ACI EUROPE’s Airport Traffic Report – January 2016 shows a positive start to the year, with a 30.4% increase.
“Low-cost will grow in Europe – the currently low oil price will support that,” Garvens explains. “As the market leader, Cologne/Bonn in particular will benefit from that. With the low-cost long-haul routes of Eurowings, we have a product in our package that is unique in continental Europe, and which will bring us many additional passengers in the next few years. Long-haul flights are a special distinction for any airport, and we want to make a name for ourselves in this market sector.”
Cologne Bonn Airport factbox
2015: 10.3 million passengers
2015 passenger traffic growth: 9%
January 2016 passenger traffic growth: 30.4%
Key airline customers: Eurowings, airberlin, Ryanair
Number of routes: 124
Top 3 destinations: Berlin, Munich, Palma de Mallorca
Eurowings launched low-cost long-haul flights from Cologne/Bonn in November. “Long-haul flights are a special distinction for any airport, and we want to make a name for ourselves in this market sector,” comments Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board, Cologne Bonn Airport.
“Setting the course for a flourishing future”
Alongside these myriad traffic developments, Cologne/Bonn is embarking on the biggest maintenance and restructuring programme in its history. The airport is investing in renovation of the main runway, the crosswind runway, the drainage system, Taxiway Bravo, and in resurfacing.
“In November 2015, the long distance bus terminal of the City of Cologne went into operation at the airport,” Garvens adds. “More than 100 buses stop there every day. That is extending our catchment area to all of Germany and will bring us many new connecting passengers.”
A new 3,200-space car park is planned, with the €45 million project to be completed in 2019, and planning for a second airport hotel is underway, with construction expected to begin in 2017. The hotel will be located between the two terminals and adjacent to the airport railway station.
With all of these developments, Garvens asserts that “we are setting the course for a flourishing future for the airport.” A strong relationship with the local community is also at the heart of the airport’s strategy.
“Once a year we stage a huge airport family party, which attracts 40,000 visitors. Another 100,000 visitors come to the German Aerospace Center’s “Aerospace Day” at Cologne/Bonn, which we host,” Garvens explains. “Our visitor service offers fascinating guided tours.”
The “digitalisation megatrend”
Cologne/Bonn is also riding the digital wave. Unlimited free WiFi has been available across the airport since 2011. “Digitalisation is a megatrend,” Garvens says. “We have a new airport app with which, among other things, travellers can book parking spaces at the airport in advance, and which offers rapid orientation using the map and terminal guide. Our passengers also receive attractive discounts through the app, with coupons for the restaurants and shops.”
Meanwhile, new 40-inch flight information display screens have been installed in the shops and restaurants to inform passengers, and the people meeting them, about gate assignments, boarding times, departures and arrivals.
It was recently announced that the airport’s Supervisory Board has renewed Garvens’ contract as Chairman of the Management Board by a further five years to January 2022. He has held the position since 2004, having joined Cologne/Bonn as Commercial Director in 2002, and led progressive development of the low-cost services which have delivered sustained growth.
“The goal is to build on our position as market leader in the low-cost segment,” Garvens explains. “With Eurowings, we also plan to establish ourselves as a long-haul location. Air cargo will also remain a key business area in the future. Cologne/Bonn is a key location for express freight and is Germany’s third largest cargo airport. With that, we play a core role for our exports-driven economy. At the same time, we want to digitalise the airport further and offer new, innovative, services for airlines and passengers. Those are major challenges – but great opportunities too. I am looking forward to that development process.”
A record year in 2015 saw the airport grow by 9% to 10.3 million passengers. “With that, Cologne/Bonn was one of the strongest-growing airports in Germany, and in the fourth quarter even the frontrunner with growth of around 17%,” says Michael Garvens, Chairman of the Management Board, Cologne Bonn Airport.
