The home carrier of Dusseldorf Express Airport in Mönchengladbach - EAE - has purchased Filder Air Service airline in Nuremberg. This acquisition will finally make it possible for EAE to start operation with its own German AOC (Air Operators Certificate) starting with its summer schedule. As a result, the airline will be able to improve its service even more. Filder had already received certification according to the new, stringent JAR-OPS 1 guidelines now in effect from Germany's aviation authorities (Luftfahrtbundesamt). Following the purchase, the company was renamed European Air Express Fluggesellschaft mbH. Filder's previous owner, Kai Schröder, will retain a 35 % interest in the new company and be responsible for the new company, including flight operation and maintenance. European Air Express Sales und Travel GmbH & Co. KG will continue to handle marketing. EAE Sales und Travel had leased three Fokker 50s from Denim Air in the Netherlands in the past, and these will be replaced by the recently acquired ATR42s of EAE Fluggesellschaft mbH in time for the summer flight schedule. "That finally gives us complete control over our product, and we are now prepared for further expansion in the future," says Peter Hauptvogel Jun., Managing Director of EAE Sales und Travel. EAE now offers service between Mönchengladbach and London- Luton and Munich three times a day. On April 28, summer service to the island of Sylt will also be offered again. Like the Fokker 50s used previously, the ATR42's feature leather seats and can accommodate 46 passengers. ots Original Text Service: European Air Express (EAE) Internet: http://recherche.newsaktuell.de Press contacts during the ITB in Hall 11.1, Stand 12. Tel.: 030- 30338609