Pang Yuliang, an entrepreneur from central China's Henan Province and chairman of the board of
logistics company Linde Group, has made history by becoming the
first Chinese person to acquire permanent operating rights for a
European airport.
Pang's Zhengzhou-based logistics company, Linde Group, whose
English name is LinkGlobal Logistics Co., will acquire Parchim
Airport in northern Germany and all operational rights thereof at a
cost of one billion yuan.
Linde Group will primarily fly cargo into the airport while also
setting up weekly passenger charter flights.
Parchim Airport lies near the city of Schwerin in northern
Germany, close to the major hubs of Hamburg and Berlin.
The purchase was confirmed by a German representative from
Schwerin while at a conference in Zhengzhou that addressed economic
links between Henan Province, the Nigerian capital Lagos and
southern Germany.
The German representative said Pang's Linde Group, a
privately-owned logistics service provider which mainly deals in
air and ocean freight among other logistics services, had secured
the deal after seeing off 10 other competitors in an international
tender.
Linde Group signed an agreement with Parchim airport authorities
in Hamburg, also notarizing the deal on May 14. The deal has seen
Linde Group purchase all land and assets of Parchim airport,
including all equipment and installations.
Pang revealed that his company was?talking with several
Chinese and foreign airport management companies to secure
management services for its newest acquisition. Pang also revealed
that once management has been finalized, air cargo services will
begin between Schwerin and Xinzheng airport in Zhengzhou while
weekly passenger charter flights are discussed.
(Xinhua News Agency May 24, 2007)