-Vienna International Airport has recorded an 8.4% rise in passenger traffic in the first six months to June 1998. Passenger numbers for the period totalled 4.9 million. Cargo saw an 8.8% increase to 73,688t.
-BAA is seeking approval for a £200 million ($120 million) two-phase expansion of London Stansted Airport over the next five years, to enable passenger throughput at the airport to grow from 6 million a year to 15 million. BAA plans to extend the terminal, add two new satellites and new taxiways/ aprons and improve vehicle access. Approval is expected by the end of the year.
-Air France has opened its new 50,000m2 (538,200ft2) cargo terminal at Paris Charles de Gaulle. Capable of handling 1 million tonnes of cargo a year, the Fr411 million ($68.3 million) terminal represents the largest ever ground-based investment by the airline.
-Italy's Catania Airport in Sicily will be opened to private investment soon, says the city's mayor, with 40% being offered to outside bidders. Italian airport operator SEA of Milan, in collaboration with BAA in the UK, and French and Spanish companies, is said to be interested.
-The regional authorities of Puglia in southern Italy are to privatise SEAP, the company running the airports in the region, including Bari, Brindisi, Foggia and Grottaglie.
-BOC Cargo Services is to invest A$10 million ($6.3 million) in a new independent cargo terminal at Sydney airport. The company has been selected by the airport to be one of two independent cargo handling agents.
Source: Flight International
