FedEx has confi rmed reports that it will move one of its principal European operations from Frankfurt Airport to Cologne/Bonn Airport. The integrator last month said that it “will relocate its largest German gateway from Frankfurt to the Cologne/ Bonn airport in 2010”.

The reason given for the move is that FedEx needs greater capacity for its European network. FedEx said it will invest in 50,000 sq m of new sorting facilities in Cologne.

Another key reason for moving out of Frankfurt, however, was the imminent ban on night-fl ights at Frankfurt. Airport authorities have agreed to close the airport between midnight and 5am in the morning in exchange for local politicians agreeing to the extension of the airport.

Michael Mühlberger, vice president, operations, FedEx Express Central & Eastern Europe, said:“Due to a potential ban on night fl ights, the Frankfurt/Main location cannot provide FedEx with longterm planning reliability.”

Cologne is Germany’s second largest handler of freight after Frankfurt and already hosts the UPS Express hub. FedEx, however, has its European hub in Paris, supporting it operations with an alliance with Geodis, which provides a ground network throughout France.