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Fraport and e-Novia trialed guide robot YAPE at Frankfurt Airport

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In a recent trial, self-driving guide robot YAPE moved through Frankfurt Airport, accompanying passengers to their gates and helping them to transport their small luggage.

YAPE is an AI-based transport and delivery robot developed by Yape Srl (the acronym stands for “Your Autonomous Pony Express”), a company of Italian hi-tech manufacturer e-Novia. Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport (FRA), and e-Novia deployed the little vehicle in FRA’s transit area for five days. Alexander Laukenmann, who heads the Airside and Terminal Management unit at Fraport AG, said: “As a leader in innovation, we constantly strive to push forward new digital technologies aimed at enhancing the travel experience for our passengers. Our aim with YAPE is to test which aspects of artificial intelligence and robotics can help to further improve the quality of services at Frankfurt Airport.”

Vincenzo Russi, CEO of e-Novia, said: “YAPE can be deployed in the most diverse environments. After the trials with Japan Post and a major large-scale distributor in the U.S., YAPE now demonstrates its full potiential by operating at a major aviation hub. Air traffic represents one of the prime drivers of the global economy. With our expertise in AI and robotics – of which YAPE is one of the best examples – e-Novia is developing new solutions for smart mobiltiy and last-mile delivery.”

During the trials in Pier A of FRA’s Terminal 1, the project coordinators closely monitored YAPE. In this initial phase, a smartphone app was used to interact with the robot. Passengers placed their small luggage in the robot’s luggage compartment and let YAPE guide them to their gates. The robot is able to freely move throughout the terminal thanks to its integrated navigation system. In the next phase the compact robot will interact autonomously with passengers.

YAPE can carry up to 30 kilograms at a speed of about 6 kilometers per hour indoors. Since the self-driving electric robot senses its surroundings, it is able to circumvent obstacles. Nevertheless – with more than 69 million passengers passing through Frankfurt Airport yearly – the busy terminals present a special challenge for the smart robot. By trialing the autonomous transport robot, airport operator Fraport aims to test new ways of enhancing the passenger experience, while at the same time reducing staff workload.

YAPE already demonstrated its capabilities as a dependable indoor and outdoor delivery robot in an initial field trial conducted in December 2018 by e-Novia and Japan Post. The outcome of further testing will determine whether and when YAPE will go into permanent service at Frankfurt Airport.

YAPE helps passengers to carry small luggage.

MEDIA CONTACT: Esther Sievers, Fraport AG, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, 60547 Frankfurt, Germany, E-mail:  [email protected] , Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport

Fraport Traffic Figures: Frankfurt Airport Reports Ongoing Growth

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Most of Fraport’s Group airports worldwide show a positive trend Frankfurt Airport (FRA) welcomed more than 6.9 million passengers inAugust 2019, an increase of 1.7 percent year-on-year. With 46,395 takeoffs and landings, FRA’s aircraft movements remained at the same level as in August 2018. Accumulated maximum takeoff weights (MTOWs) slightly expanded by 0.5 percent to nearly 2.9 million metric tons. Cargo throughput (airfreight + airmail), in contrast, shrank by 5.2 percent to 173,122 metric tons – reflecting the decline in global trade.

The majority of airports in Fraport’s international portfolio showed a positive trend in the reporting month. Ljubljana Airport (LJU) in Slovenia grew by 4.5 percent to 211,431 passengers. Fraport’s two Brazilian airports in Fortaleza (FOR) and Porto Alegre (POA), combined, registered a 3.8 percent dip in traffic to nearly 1.3 million passengers. This decrease can still be attributed to the bankruptcy of domestic carrier Avianca Brasil and to the country’s ongoing economic slowdown.

At Peru’s Lima Airport (LIM), traffic advanced by 6.6 percent to some 2.2 million passengers. Overall traffic at Fraport’s 14 Greek airports increased slightly by 1.1 percent to around 5.5 million passengers. The Bulgarian airports of Varna (VAR) and Burgas (BOJ) continued to be affected by the consolidation of flight offerings, which resulted in traffic dropping by 9.0 percent to about 1.3  million passengers, overall.

Antalya Airport (AYT) on the Turkish Riviera maintained its growth path, with traffic soaring by 13.7 percent to nearly 5.6 million passengers. Traffic also advanced in St. Petersburg (LED), Russia, rising by 5.8 percent to over 2.2 million passengers. Xi’an Airport (XIY) in China posted a 5.9 percent gain to about 4.4 million passengers.

MEDIA CONTACT: Fraport AG, Dana Selin Kröll, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, 60547 Frankfurt, Germany, E-mail: [email protected]  

Everything in White-and-Blue: Frankfurt Airport Is Celebrating Oktoberfest

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A piece of Bavaria is coming to Frankfurt Airport! This year again, the spirit of Germany’s best-known popular festival will also come alive in the shops and restaurants of the departure areas for passengers from around the world to enjoy. The marketplaces are decked out in traditional white-and-blue, offering travelers lots of promotions, activities, and offers attuned to the occasion.

The authentic beertent ambiance is enhanced by traditional Bavarian costumes and live music. Appropriately, there are attractive coupons and discounts for many of the stores as well as the online shop and rewards program. Plus: games to play, and restaurants and bistros serving typical culinary delights that range from white sausage and giant soft pretzels to fresh tap beer in one-liter mugs. Passengers can also get individually sugarinscribed gingerbread hearts to take with them as they fly off to distant destinations.

The white-and-blue color theme will also be featured on Frankfurt Airport’s website, online shop, rewards program and WeChat channel. English- and Chinese-speaking passengers can also look forward to a specially crafted online game. The promotions will last until the end of October.

More information about the wide range of services at Frankfurt Airport is available on the airport website, at the service shop, and via Frankfurt Airport’s social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

MEDIA CONTACT: Angelika Heinbuch, Fraport AG, Spokesperson, Press Office, Corp. Communications, 60547 Frankfurt, Germany, Telephone: +49 69 690-28417, E-mail: [email protected] ,  Internet: www.fraport.com , Facebook: www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport

FRAPORT: Revenue and earnings increase – Outlook confirmed

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The Fraport Group has successfully started off the new business year, achieving higher revenue and earnings in the first three months of 2019.

Supported by solid passenger growth at Frankfurt Airport and almost all of Fraport’s airports worldwide, Group revenue rose by 17.9 percent to EUR803.8 million. Adjusted for revenue in connection with capital expenditure for expansion projects at Fraport’s Group companies worldwide (according to IFRIC 12), revenue grew by 5.3percent to EUR678.5 million. At Frankfurt Airport (FRA), traffic growth led to higher revenue, particularly from ground handling services, as well as security services and infrastructure charges.

Moreover, the retail and parking businesses had a positive impact on revenue. In Fraport’s international portfolio, major contributions came, in particular, from the Lima (Peru) and the Fraport USA Group companies. In the U.S. market, Fraport recently took over management of retail areas at New York-JFK’s Terminal 5 (April 2018) and at Nashville International Airport (February 2019).

The operating result or Group EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) advanced by 14.8 percent to EUR200.6 million in the reporting period. This amount includes a EUR10.9 million positive effect, resulting from the application of IFRS 16 (effective January 1, 2019). The positive effect is offset by additional amortization and depreciation in the amount of EUR10.4 million and a EUR2.8 million increase in interest. Establishing new rules for the accounting of leases, the IFRS 16 standard specifically affects lease contracts between the Fraport USA Group company and respective concession lessors. Thus, Group EBIT climbed by 4.6 percent to EUR86.1 million. Supported by a better interest result, the financial result improved from minus EUR56.1 million in Q1 2018 to minus EUR49.6 million in the first quarter of 2019.

Correspondingly, Group EBT soared by 39.3 percent to EUR36.5 million, while the Group result (net profit) jumped 42.9 percent to EUR28.0 million.

Commenting on the Group’s positive business performance in the first quarter of 2019, Fraport AG’s executive board chairman, Dr. Stefan Schulte, said: “We had a robust start to the new business year, supported once more by the ever growing contributions to revenue and earnings from our Group airports worldwide. In Frankfurt, we successfully managed the first stress test of 2019 during the busy

Easter travel period. Together with our partners, we will continue striving to accommodate the high demand of our customers in the best possible way. To achieve this goal, we will further optimize andstreamline processes and improve infrastructure utilization, as well as vigorously moving our expansion projects forward.”

Operating cash flow jumped noticeably by 60.2 percent to EUR129.0 million in the first three months of 2019, reflecting the positive operational performance across the Group’s airports. When adjusting for the changes in net current assets included in the statement of cash flows, operating cash flow improved by EUR12.6 million or 9.1  percent. Despite increased operating cash flow, free cash flow dropped strongly to minus EUR245.9 million in the first quarter of 2019, due to higher capital expenditure both at Frankfurt Airport and in the international business (Q1 2018:  minus EUR66.9 million).

FRA welcomed almost 14.8 million passengers from January to March 2019, up 2.5 percent year-on-year. FRA achieved this increase despite the fact that traffic in March 2018 received an additionally boost from the earlier timing of the Easter school holidays. This year, in comparison, the Easter break fell during April. Fraport’s Groupairports worldwide largely reported positive traffic performance, although the different timing of the Easter holidays impacted some Group airports serving tourist destinations.

Following the end of the first quarter of this year, the Executive Board maintains its forecasts for fiscal year 2019.

You can find our Interim Release Q1 2019 (http://ots.de/HFMbNo) on the Fraport AG website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Torben Beckmann, Fraport AG, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, 60547 Frankfurt, Germany, E-mail:  [email protected] , Facebook:  www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport

New Visitor Experience: 90-minute Frankfurt airport tour with focus on Terminal 3 construction project

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The future Terminal 3 at Frankfurt Airport is one of the largest privately-funded construction projects under way in Europe. Currently, the site comprises a huge excavated hole where the foundations for the central terminal building with its underground facilities are being laid. Fraport’s visitor service team has responded to enormous public interest in the project by launching an airport tour that focuses on Terminal 3. The highpoint of the 90-minute bus ride around Frankfurt Airport’s apron is a stop at a platform providing an excellent view of the construction site.

The Terminal 3 excursion also showcases other fascinating aspects of apron and airfield activities. For example, participants experience takeoffs and landings from close-up at the Center and South Runways. A guide is present throughout, relating fascinating facts and figures, including insights into the construction project. Terminal 3 is scheduled to open in 2023. It will include three new piers, with capacity for more than 20 million passengers annually, and will be setting new standards in terms of its architectural design.

Due to safety regulations, participants in the Terminal 3 tour must be at least 16 years of age. The price per person is 15 euros. The tour can be booked for individuals or groups. An ideal addition is a visit to the viewing platform in Terminal 2. The platform is open all year round.

More information on other tours and the Visitors’ Terrace can be found at www.FRA-tours.com .

MEDIA CONTACT: Fraport AG, Angelika Heinbuch, Spokesperson, Press Office, Corp. Communications, 60547 Frankfurt, Germany, Telephone: +49 69 690-28417, E-mail: [email protected] ,  Internet: www.fraport.com , Facebook: www.facebook.com/FrankfurtAirport