Dresden Airport in the crisis: increasing concerns about the future!

Dresden Airport in the crisis: increasing concerns about the future!

In the aviation landscape of Germany, there are clear differences. At Dresden Airport, the mood is currently anything but positive. After the latest developments, the Saxon metropolis is faced with a significant decline in passenger. thueringen24.de reports that the number of passengers in 2023 has dropped by a full 5.1 %. In contrast, Leipzig/Halle Airport can look at an increase of 4.7 %. A clear sign of the different priorities between the two airports.

last week, on the first holiday weekend, around 24,500 travelers were expected in Leipzig/Halle, while Dresden was bobbing. With only 14 destinations in seven countries, the flight offer in Dresden is quite sparse in the summer flight schedule, while Leipzig serves 29 destinations in 13 countries.

financial worries and future prospects

The uncertainty about the future of the Dresden Airport is reinforced by the plans of Saxony-Anhalt to withdraw from the financial support for the facility from 2027. Finance Minister Michael Richter (CDU) made it clear that Saxony-Anhalt would no longer want to pay for the airport's losses. This sudden decision could additionally tighten the existing financial gap of 145 million euros, which was made by loans and grants.

While Saxony-Anhalt pulls the ripcord, the Free State of Saxony plans to provide 100 million euros for the airport by 2026. As the discussions about alternative uses of the site show - be it for conferences or businesses - this leaves many questions. Thomas Löser from the Greens demands a rethink and sees constant subsidization as problematic. The MFAG CEO Götz Ahmelmann, on the other hand, is optimistic and still sees perspectives for the airport.

passenger numbers in comparison

Overall, the situation did not improve in 2024. According to [aerointernational.de] (https://www.aerointernational.de/aviation-nachrichten/mitteldeutsche-flughaefen-duklicht- der-Transport figures-2024.html), the Central German airports recorded an increase in passengers by 1.7 %, but the decline for Dresden Airport was worrying during the same period, with only 882.424 Passengers.

• Leipzig/Halle Airport: 2.2 million passengers (+4.7 %)
• Dresden Airport: 882,424 Passengers (-5.1 %)

In the area of the air freight, however, Leipzig/Halle can report positive news. With around 1.4 million tons, the volume remains stable and the airport is the largest DHL turning cross worldwide. As clear as the difference between the two airports is, the challenge that Dresden is standing is that the decoupling from the international aviation can only be prevented with a sustainable concept.

Whether the future of the Dresden Airport becomes Rosiger depends on the coming years and political decisions. By 2027 we will pursue with excitement how the circumstances develop.