Since the bankruptcy of the former Hahn Airport (HHN) majority owner, Chinese conglomerate HNA (82.5%), in October 2021, there have been various attempts to sell the airport to private investors. They have all failed, to date. However, now there is (again) new hope for a viable solution.
With Peter Adrian, a White Knight has emerged to give the airport, which is mainly used by cargo airlines, a solid foundation.
Mr. Adrian is president of the influential German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and its 79 representations spread across the country. The DIHK bundles and lobbies the interests of
enterprises engaged in commercial, industrial, logistics, and service-centered activities.
Will the merry-go-round of Hahn owners be overcome?
Should his takeover bid be supported by the creditors' committee, it would put an end to the paralyzing uncertainty of Hahn’s fate. Political and market experts believe this to happen because,
were his offer to be rejected, it would also damage the reputation of the DIHK Chamber to a certain degree.
Peter Adrian is no stranger to the aviation scene. He holds a private pilot’s license, and his company, Triwo AG, owns several smaller airports such as Frankfurt-Egelsbach airfield, a center for
general aviation. Personally attractive from his point of view is also the fact that Triwo is registered in the city of Trier, located just 75 km southwest of Hahn.
Final okay needed
However, the change of ownership still has to be approved by the creditors' committee of the main shareholder - the operating company, Flughafen Frankfurt-Hahn GmbH. Before this can happen, one
hurdle needs setting aside: the termination of preliminary contracts inked by the insolvency administrator and two bidders: Russian oligarch, Viktor Kharitonin, and the local Richter Group.
According to unconfirmed information, the. U.S. administration had vigorously opposed the Kharotin bid to take over Hahn, since American military aircraft frequently land at the airport. For the
U.S. Air Force, HHN has a hub function for relocating troops and transporting military equipment.
The insolvency administrator did not comment on Mr. Adrian's takeover advance. The final decision must now be made by the creditors' committee of the operating company, Flughafen Frankfurt-Hahn
GmbH. According to information obtained by CargoForwarder Global from people close to the case, this will happen either on Monday (03APR23) or the day after.
Heiner Siegmund
We welcome and publish comments from all authenticated users.
Write a comment