End of career at the airport: Farewell to popular faces in Dresden

End of career at the airport: Farewell to popular faces in Dresden

After more than 25 years in the aviation business, Eva Richter and Carmen Gebauer are drawing the line today and ending their careers. The two women worked at Lufthansa Airport Service Dresden and feel nostalgic and sad as they have to say goodbye to numerous regular guests, including well-known faces such as the actor Wolfgang Stumph and the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU). The latter has publicly supported Dresden Airport, which illustrates the connection to the region. Carmen Gebauer, who is still scheduled to work a few shifts until the end of October, will miss the familiar faces at check-in, while Eva Richter, who has already had her last day of work, had to experience a canceled departure of an Airbus A319 to Frankfurt in her role as a ramp agent.

Both women have witnessed dramatic change in the aviation industry. As MDR reports, the upheaval came with the emergence of low-cost airlines, which have revolutionized the market with aggressive pricing models since the early 2000s. What was once considered a reliable service has now often given way to a simplified and sometimes opaque offer, with additional costs often exceeding the price of the ticket.

The farewell to an era

Eva's career began in 1991 at the then newly founded Lufthansa Airport Service Dresden, while Carmen Gebauer went through a long journey in aviation. “I feel like I’m a second-class Lufthansa employee,” Richter reveals, referring to the wage differences and restrictions compared to her West German colleagues. The name Lufthansa, which once stood proudly above the company buildings, is now obsolete in Dresden, even though the company is still considered a leader in many areas.

Digitalization has further shaken up the area; Passengers are increasingly taking on tasks such as booking tickets and checking in themselves. This has not only reduced service but also weakened the connection between employees and customers. The question that concerns many travelers now: What will happen to the classic air transport model?

Change in aviation

The discussion about the future of low-cost airlines is becoming increasingly loud. Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, recently predicted the end of these airlines' business model at a Wall Street Journal event. According to IT-Boltwise, he criticized the practices of low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and EasyJet and pointed to unsustainable pricing where hidden fees lack transparency let. If in the past many passengers often spent more money on extras than on the ticket itself, customer trust is beginning to waver, which represents a significant challenge for the future of such airlines.

Amid this change, airlines need to rethink their strategies and adapt more than ever. To regain customer trust and remain commercially viable, transparency and better value for money will be essential. The coming years could be decisive in determining whether the low-cost airline business model survives or whether new, more customer-friendly approaches emerge.

The now and tomorrow of airlines

The role of airlines is essential for global mobility. Representatives like Lufthansa still have a place in this industry, which is characterized by constant changes and adjustments. According to Mobility Magazine, airlines are central players in global trade and tourism. For example, the best airline in 2024 is Qatar Airways, which is known for its excellent service.

The fungibility of the industry is also reflected in the increasing demand for more environmentally friendly technologies, which will become increasingly important in the coming years. Given all the challenges, airlines must not only invest in more efficient systems, but also focus on the needs of modern travelers in order to be successful in the long term.