Frankfurt Hahn Airport (HHN), an international budget flights hub in Germany, has filed for bankruptcy at the Bad Kreuznach Administrative Court.

It is still unclear how the bankruptcy would impact flight operations at the airport.

The court has appointed Jan Markus Plathner as the provisional administrator for the bankruptcy proceedings.

China-based HNA Group holds an 82.5% stake in the airport while the remaining stake is owned by the German state of Hesse.

In 2017, HNA Group acquired a stake from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate for $17.5m (€15m).

In February, a court in China initiated bankruptcy proceedings against HNA following requests from its creditors.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

However, China’s Liaoning Fangda Group and Hainan Development Holdings stated that they could clear the debt owed to retail investors by HNA.

Furthermore, HNA Group chairman Chen Feng and CEO Tan Xiangdong were detained by Hainan provincial police for alleged criminal offences in September.

The airport started witnessing a plunge in passenger business way before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the global aviation industry.

Originally, the airport served as an important hub for budget carrier Ryanair. However, it suffered a huge dent in its earnings after the discount airline started shifting to nearby larger airports.

Government subsidies were granted to keep the airport solvent as its debt had piled up.

Frankfurt Hahn Airport handled approximately 1.5 million passengers in 2019.

Last month, Germany’s Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) renewed its IT infrastructure.

Software firm PSI Logistics helped the airport in its IT infrastructure renewal.

Software and control computers, as well as monitoring and display systems in baggage handling, were also upgraded.

Airport Technology Excellence Awards - Have you nominated?

Nominations are now open for the prestigious Airport Technology Excellence Awards - one of the industry's most recognised programmes celebrating innovation, leadership, and impact. This is your chance to showcase your achievements, highlight industry advancements, and gain global recognition. Don't miss the opportunity to be honoured among the best - submit your nomination today!

Nominate Now