US Air Force Hands Rhein-Main Air Base To Fraport

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Source: http://news.morningstar.com/news/DJ/M12 ... 00372.html

US Air Force Hands Rhein-Main Air Base To Fraport

12-30-05 07:55 AM EST

FRANKFURT (AP)--The U.S. Air Force Friday handed over the keys to Rhein-Main Air Base to the operator of Frankfurt International Airport in a final act of closure for the base, which for 60 years hosted U.S. forces.

The 120 buildings on the base are to be bulldozed to make way for a third terminal for Frankfurt's sprawling civilian airport - continental Europe's busiest. It officially becomes German property on Saturday.

The ceremony, at which Brigadier General Mike Snodgrass gave the keys of the base's buildings and main gate to Manfred Schoelch of airport operator Fraport AG (FRA.XE), followed Rhein-Main's formal closing in October.

The airport plans to use the additional space as it prepares to house a new maintenance and supply facility for the new Airbus (ABI.YY) super-jumbo A380, the world's largest passenger jet. Construction began earlier this year for a hangar.

Rhein-Main was once a hub of activity for U.S. forces facing Soviet bloc forces and tensions in the Middle East. It saw a steady stream of planes fly supplies to West Berliners in the late 1940s during the Soviet blockade of the city.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires
12-30-05 0755ET
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