Panatonni to build logistics centre near Leipzig-Halle airport

Industrial developer Panatonni Corp is to invest €40m in building a large-scale logistics centre adjacent to Germany’s Leipzig-Halle airport.

Airport Development, owner and operator of the 370,000 sq m Airport Park Leipzig Halle, confirmed that its tenant Panatonni will begin construction of the 51,000 sq m of hall space in the late summer of 2019, with opening expected in early 2021.

Dieter Vornhagen, chairman of the board of Airport Development, said: “This significant investment is a clear sign of the confidence this world-leading logistics real estate developer has for the Leipzig area and in particular for the prospects moving forward of Leipzig Airport.

“As a global hub for DHL and surrounded by numerous tier one automotive and other manufacturing clusters, plus a booming consumer population of more than 17m people living within 1.5 hours, Leipzig Airport is fast being recognised as a major ecommerce cargo airport and one which the logistics industry and freight forwarding community are being drawn ever closer towards.”

Panattoni decison follows on from three other major deals secured at Airport Park Leipzig Halle by Autohof 24 Group, Max Weishaupt Industries and the leasing arm of Austrian Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich. All three companies have already indicated further purchases are under consideration with a number of building permits about to be issued.

The last two existing buildings available for lease or purchase are being marketed by BNP Paribas Real Estate (Leipzig).

Leipzig/Halle airport is expecting to continue its growth story in 2019 after posting a 7.3% year on year increase in volumes in 2018.