Raunheim, April 16 – At a recent event hosted by Pro Flughafen e. V. at the Innovation Hub RheinMain, the central role of Frankfurt Airport for the international connectivity and economic competitiveness of the Rhein-Main region once again became evident. The airport continues to serve as a decisive location factor for employment, innovation, and global business development.
Frankfurt Airport: A Catalyst for Economic Transformation
In his opening remarks, Ernö Theuer, Chairman of Bürgeraktion PRO Flughafen, highlighted the ongoing structural transformation of the regional economy. Referring to the historic industrial significance of Opel in Rüsselsheim, he emphasized how the region has evolved.
“Opel Rüsselsheim once employed 42,000 people, making it the largest company in Hesse at the time. Today, around 6,500 employees remain. In contrast, Frankfurt Airport, with more than 80,000 employees, is now the largest workplace in Germany. Its indirect employment impact extends far beyond the immediate region — reaching into Rheinhessen and the Aschaffenburg area,” Theuer explained.
He further underlined that the cities of Rüsselsheim, Raunheim, and Kelsterbach are strategically leveraging their proximity to the airport through the Innovation Hub RheinMain to attract international companies and foster long-term prosperity.
Strong Municipal Cooperation Around a Global Hub
Patrick Burghardt, Mayor of Rüsselsheim am Main, emphasized the historically close relationship between the surrounding municipalities and Frankfurt Airport. Rüsselsheim, Raunheim, and Kelsterbach have maintained an intensive and constructive dialogue with the airport operator for many years — addressing not only economic development but also complex topics such as noise management, infrastructure expansion, and regional coordination.
Kelsterbach’s Mayor Manfred Ockel reflected on ten years of intermunicipal cooperation and stressed the exceptional opportunities for international company settlements in the direct airport environment. For globally active companies, proximity to international air traffic remains a decisive competitive advantage.
Frankfurt Airport strengthens the international competitiveness of the entire Rhein-Main region in a sustainable way. It functions as a driver of innovation, employment, and global connectivity — making it equally essential for the Innovation Hub RheinMain and the participating municipalities.
Innovation Hub RheinMain: Intermunicipal Strength for the Future
The Innovation Hub RheinMain is a joint initiative of the cities of Rüsselsheim am Main, Raunheim, and Kelsterbach. Its objective is to strengthen the region through strategic cooperation — positioning it as both a high-performance business location and an attractive place to live.
By pooling resources and creating shared synergies, the three cities have formed a forward-looking regional alliance designed to attract international investment and support sustainable economic growth.
Since 2015, this cooperation has been further intensified through the special-purpose association Städtenetzwerk Asien. Under the initiative “Drei gewinnt,” international — particularly Asian — companies are supported through coordinated location marketing and a centralized contact platform.
The service portfolio includes:
- International business advisory services (including English and Hindi)
- Assistance with site and office location searches
- Support during administrative procedures
- Visa and relocation assistance
- In-depth market and location analyses
A Central Gateway for International Companies
As the operational brand of the Städtenetzwerk Asien association, the Innovation Hub RheinMain stands for fast, professional, and structured company settlement in the Frankfurt Rhein-Main region.
International companies benefit from comprehensive support, including:
- Market entry and sales advisory
- Organizational and HR setup assistance
- Administrative and operational coordination
- Local integration services
- Strategic networking within regional and international ecosystems
The event hosted by Pro Flughafen e. V. clearly demonstrated how international infrastructure, municipal cooperation, and economic development are closely interconnected in the Rhein-Main region.
Founded in 2000, Bürgeraktion PRO Flughafen is a non-partisan civic initiative advocating for aviation and the airport due to its outstanding importance for the economy and citizens of the Frankfurt/Rhein-Main region.
Frankfurt Airport remains not only a transport hub, but a strategic gateway for international investment — and a central pillar of the Innovation Hub RheinMain’s mission to connect global business with regional opportunity.