Questions and answers - Frankfurt Airport

Questions and answers: re-adjustment of costrelated 

utilization fee (KNE)

Questions Summary 

1. General information regarding the updated model of the utilization 

fees 

2. Legal background 

3. Calculation pattern (model), cost basis 

4. Practical application by user (including basics for airport user 

regulations)

General information to re-adjustment of KNE 

What is the background of this model? 

Why is it introduced? 

The cost-related utilization fee (KNE) is no new charge; it was already 

introduced at Frankfurt Airport in 2006 and has since been charged. Its 

basis is the judgment given by the European Court of Justice allowing 

for the levying of a fee for the utilization of airport infrastructures (for 

detailed information regarding this judgment, please see Part 2: Legal 

background) 

A re-adjustment has been made necessary for two reasons: a) the 

growth in the number of users and b) the refinement of the utilization 

intensity on the basis of a turnover portion and, additionally an ID 

component, which is new.


What is new? 

As in the past, first of all, the entire annual costs are being calculated for the General 

Infrastructures (i.e. streets and roads, security operation, transport on our own account, 

etc.), then, after definition of all airport users, these costs are allocated to individual user 

groups (such as airlines, Fraport itself, ground handlers and airport user regulations) 

according to corresponding keys. The only aspect that is new is that the providers holding 

licensing agreements* are no longer being charged exclusively on the basis of a given 

turnover portion, but, additionally, on the basis of the number of ID types they are holding. 

Thus, by including the turnover realized at Frankfurt Airport, not only the effective utilizability 

of the General Infrastructures (= access to various infrastructure facilities via the color of ID 

cards), will be identified, but the usage intensity will be shown as well. 

Former model 

will continue 

to apply and 

was certified 

by audit 

Before: 

New: 

1 

2 

3 

4 

4 

Definition of cost for General Infrastructur es 

(planned for 2013: 53.2 million euros) 

Definition of all airport users 

Allocation of cost portion to user sectors 

Distribution of costs to individual via commercial fee 

Cost-sharing by individual users: 50 % based on number 

of ID cards/vehicle permits, 50 % via commercial fee 

* Where no licensing 

agreement is conluded or, in 

individual cases, where it is 

proven that the turnover 

cannot be defined, 100% of 

the cost-related utilization 

fees will be based on the ID 

cards.


No change in types of ID cards 

The identification system regulations providing for an authorization by Fraport AG for 

the access or entry to certain airport areas, will continue to apply. Fraport AG issues the 

following airport IDs which serve as proof that access has been authorized: 

1. Permanent ID cards and vehicle permits 

2. Temporary ID cards 

3. Temporary vehicle permits 

4. Transferable vehicle permits 

5. Coded CCS/CCN keycards


Future types of ID cards? 

1. Permanent ID cards and vehicle permits 

− (Permanent) personal ID: Personal ID cards are photographic airport ID documents 

restricted to individual persons who are employed regularly and permanently at 

Frankfurt Airport. There are different colors/types of ID card for different accesses to 

Frankfurt Airport. 

− (Permanent) vehicle permit: Vehicle permits are valid for the operation of a vehicle that 

is permanently being used at Frankfurt Airport. 

− (Permanent) personal ID with access code: Personal ID card (see above), issued upon 

special request (if the rented parking place for a private vehicle is proven). The required 

access code is shown on the personal ID card.



2. Temporary ID cards 

− Photographic temporary ID card: Temporary ID cards are always restricted to individual 

persons and have to show the holder‘s photograph. Such cards are issued for persons 

that are temporarily employed at Frankfurt Airport or that have been given a temporary 

replacement for their personal ID card (for example, because they have lost it). 

One person may be entitled to receive such a temporary access card under the 

following conditions: 

− 4 x per calendar year for a maximum duration of 14 days for operational area (green ID 

card); 

− 4 x per calendar year for a maximum duration of 14 days for airside areas with valid 

reliability check (ID card color blue, red or yellow); 

− 1x per month for a maximum of one day without a valid reliability check with permanent 

company by a person who has been checked pursuant to Article 7 of the Aviation 

Security Act (holder of a permanent ID card, valid for the area to be entered) for airside 

areas (ID card color blue, red or yellow) 

A photographic temporary ID card is not subject to cost-related utilization fees



3. Temporary vehicle permit 

− Temporary vehicle permits: These permits are valid for the operation of a temporarily 

used vehicle or as a temporary replacement for a vehicle permit. The approval applies 

for the operation area (green) and must be authorized by the ID Cards Service Center, 

the Visitors‘ Service or the Airside Duty Management. The application for temporary 

vehicle permits for the apron area (red) can only be made at and issued by the Airside 

Duty Management. 

A temporary vehicle permit can be issued 4 times a year for a maximum duration of 14 

days for the same vehicle; thereafter a permanent vehicle permanent must be issued 

for that vehicle.



4. Transferable vehicle permit 

− Transferable vehicle permits (“ÜFG“): These permits are valid for the operation of 

various vehicles at Frankfurt Airport that are driven in rotation or they are issued as a 

temporary replacement for a vehicle permit. A transferable vehicle permit is only 

available for the operation area (permit color: green). 

For the CCS and CCN areas, issue of these transferable vehicle permits through the 

Airport ID Cards Service Center (SCF) is limited exclusively to forwarding agents, 

suppliers and courier services.



5. Coded CCS/CCN key cards 

− Coded CCS / CCN key cards: These are ID cards without a photograph used to open 

specific, technologically secured access points in the CCS/CCN area (gates 26, 31 and 

32). They are considered to be a “key“ for the one-time entry and do not serve as a 

personal or vehicle identification. Coded key cards are not subject to cost-related 

utilization fees. 

These coded key cards are issued to forwarding agents, suppliers / transportation 

service providers / visitors, enabling them to pay short visits or to temporarily deal with 

their matters, upon application and registration at the above mentioned gates. 

Where these users require access or entry to the airport due to a permanent or regular 

activity (> 1x per month), their employer (depending on the business model) shall be 

bound to apply for a permanent access/entry permit (personal ID card, vehicle permit, 

transferable vehicle permit) and possibly to conclude a licensing agreement.

General information - Prices for cost related 

utilization fees as from January 1st, 2013 

How much do the ID cards and permits cost? 

− The costs for the types of ID cards (green, blue, red, yellow) and for the vehicle permits 

(green, red, green transferable) were fixed on July 1st, 2012. These cards authorize the 

access to various areas on the airport premises and, thus, allow the utilization of 

different infrastructures. This results in varying values and, consequently, in different 

prices. 

Yearly costs for ID cards (proportionate settlement to be done monthly) WITHOUT turnover 

declaration 

(100%) 

Personal ID card, green 356.00 € 

Personal ID card, blue, red, yellow 591.00 € 

Personal ID card, green with entry code to operation area 582.00 € 

Personal ID card, blue, red, yellow with entry code to operation area 817.00 € 

Vehicle permit, green 226.00 € 

Vehicle permit, red 1,643.00 € 

Transferable vehicle permit, green 582.00 € 

− The above prices apply whenever NO turnover is taken into consideration for their 

determination 

see part 3: calculation pattern (model)


Future development of prices for the costrelated 

utilization fee 

Will the prices stay? 

− The prices for the ID cards and vehicle permits result from the annual costs for General 

Infrastructures and from the number of ID cards / vehicle permits issued (and are also 

dependent on the number of users per group). Should one of these quantities change 

substantially, the prices for ID cards and vehicle permits will have to be adjusted. 

− However, the cost-related utilization fee is strictly reflecting the actual cost, i.e. Fraport 

does not generate any profit but only distributes the costs incurred to all the users, 

including to Fraport itself.


First-time participation of all users? 

− Already today, 90% of the costs are charged and paid with due regard to the actual 

proportions. Yet, this does not correspond to 90% of users, since especially the cargo 

area had been exempted in the past. 

− The previous discrepancy between the actual annual costs for General Infrastructures 

and the amount charged to the users has so far been borne by Fraport AG (in the non- 

regulated area). Fraport AG, just like the other users, is already participating in the 

maintenance of General Infrastructures due to the amount allocated to it.

Legal background (1) 

On October 16, 2003 the European Court of Justice declared access fees to the market to 

be inadmissible, yet confirmed the right to levy a fee for the utilization of airport-based 

infrastructures, provided that it be charged in connection with the costs incurred. 

Consequently, Fraport AG determined the actual costs on which such an utilization is based 

and adjusted the utilization fee in conformity with the ECJ judgment as per January 1st, 

2006. In addition, the corresponding cost basis has recently been confirmed by an audit 

opinion. Therefore, the cost-related utilization fee is a justified and legal charge.

Legal background (2) 

Ruling of the European Court of Justice : 

Council Directive 96/67/EC of October 15, 1996 on access to the groundhandling market 

at Community airports, especially to Article 16 (3) – precludes the managing body of an 

airport from making access to the groundhandling market in the airport subject to payment 

by a third-party supplier of groundhandling services or a self-handler of an access fee as 

consideration for the grant of a commercial opportunity, in addition to the fee payable by 

that supplier or self-handler for the use of the airport installations. 

On the other hand, that body is entitled to collect a fee for the use of airport installations, of 

an amount, to be determined according to the criteria laid down in Article 16 (3) of the 

Directive, which takes account of the interest of that body in making a profit. 

Therefore, a fee for the utilization of airport infrastructures is admissible. The cost-related 

utilization fee is such a fee, because this does not result in Fraport making a profit; the 

managing body only passes on the costs to the users.


Double payment of public roads through trade 

tax? 

For some parts of the public roads in the airport area, Fraport is responsible for public 

safety. Therefore, the corresponding costs are unrelated with the trade tax to be paid to the 

public sector.


Double payment, as compensated by building 

lease? 

Cost-sharing via the development costs and the land charge does, for a large part, not 

cover the expenses for the utilization of infrastructure facilities. 

In most cases, the building lease only defines the connections to the airport‘s internal road 

system. As examples, security operation and the transport on our own account do not form 

part of the land charge; they are, therefore, not reflected in the lease and had not been paid 

for in the past. 

Since building leases are individually set up, it is jointly checked whether any portions are 

already being compensated and, in the affirmative, which they are. These portions would 

not be taken into consideration in the cost-related utilization fee.


Are co-tenants also affected? Do tenants need 

to pay the cost-related utilization fee, even when 

not contractually bound to Fraport? 

Yes* – the lawfulness of this fee is independent from any contractual relation between 

Fraport AG and the user of the infrastructures at Frankfurt Airport. The decisive element is 

that those using the infrastructure facilities be also involved in cost-sharing. 

* This might depend on individual building lease agreements


Cross-subsidy of non-payers? 

Were non-payers previously financed by others? 

The users that were paying their share in the past, did not cross-subsidize non-payers! The 

shortfall had been borne by Fraport AG (in the non-regulated area).


Fraport‘s share of cost-related utilization fees? 

Does Fraport also pay such fees? 

Since the very introduction of the cost-related utilization fee on January 1st, 2006, both 

Fraport AG and all its subsidiaries and investments have been taken into account when 

calculating the cost-related utilization fee. Just as it has been the case with the other user 

groups at Frankfurt, Fraport has been charged its share of costs attributable to General 

Infrastructures on the basis of a corresponding scheme. The updated model will not affect 

this.


Varying usage intensity: Why is there no finer 

adjustment? 

The various types of ID cards/colors grant the right of access to different areas on the 

airport premises and to use various infrastructure facilities. Thus, the principle of causation 

is fully taken into account. 

A further graduation of the ID cards for the utilization of individual services (for example the 

separate treatment of bussing) would result in higher administrative costs (and 

consequently also in increased costs for General Infrastructures); besides it would be very 

difficult to implement logistically.


Why not just on the basis of the number of ID 

cards? 

Thanks to the new calculation pattern (50 % based on the number of ID cards and 50 % via 

a commercial fee) not only the actual usability of General Infrastructures (= access to 

various infrastructure facilities as per color of ID card) is identified, but the intensity of usage 

is shown as well (= by including the turnover-based commercial fee). 

The principle of causation is complied with even better by the symbiosis between potential 

utilization and the intensity of usage. 

In cases where users prove that they cannot put an exact figure on turnover, they shall pay 

100% of the ID card cost portions. 

For prices, see Part 1: General


No turnover figures possible? What happens 

when someone does not report turnover? 

If a service provider does not report to Fraport AG their turnover figures (always by the 15th 

of the following month) the share in the cost-related utilization fee will be taken to be 100% 

of the number of issued ID cards / vehicle permits. 

For prices applicable for a 100% payment on the basis of ID cards, see Part 1: General

4. Practical application by users (incl. FBO 

basis) 

Definition of the turnover to be reported? 

“Turnover“ is deemed to be the sum total of all supplies and services provided on the airport 

premises, reflected in a licencing agreement and not compensated by the airport user 

regulation (FBO) or other fees.

4. Practical application by users (incl. FBO 

basis) 

What is the exact settlement and invoicing 

procedure? 

The amount of the cost-related utilization fee will be billed by the 15th of the following 

month proportionally to the previous month. 

This calculation and settlement will take into account the exact figures of the month; in the 

event that an ID card/vehicle permit was returned during the year, no payment will be made 

in the month following the return. 

The entire monthly turnover will continue to be reported to Fraport AG by the 15th of the 

following month (100%). Yet, the future invoices will only reflect 50% of the turnover portion 

at the applicable rate of assessment – additionally to the billing prices for ID cards (50% of 

the ID card prices mentioned in Part 1: General)

Questions and answers - Frankfurt Airport

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