"Plans For Erie To Buy German Airport May Not Fly"

Saturday, March 10, 2007 

Plans To Buy German Airport May Not Fly 
WJET-TV Ch 24 (ABC), Erie (PA)


A plan to purchase a German airport to enhance the development of trade here
in Erie may be coming to a halt.

Airport authority officials will find out Monday if they will still be able
to complete the link between Erie and the Cottbus-Drewitz airport.

This project has been a top priority for city officials who've taken
multiple trips overseas to tour the facility and talk with international
officials about the economic impact the connection could have here in our
community.

Erie officials have already signed an agreement to take over operations at
the Cottbus-Drewitz Airport in eastern Germany - however the deal has never
been finalized.

For the past few years officials have been laying the groundwork to become
part owners of the airport and turn it into an air-cargo hub.

But now there appears to be a problem that could slow down or even bring
this operation to an end. 

If officials find out Monday that they can proceed with the project, there
could be direct flights from the Cottbus -Drewitz Airport to Erie,
generating a new cargo business for both airports and making Erie an
international hub for cargo.
Airport authority member Lou Porreco says they won't know until a conference
call on Monday whether or not they'll be able to go through with the deal.

Officials say while they're still hopeful for the connection between Erie
and Germany, plans for Erie's cargo hub will move on regardless of the news
they receive on Monday.

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