After the application process, visa issuance, security checks and training, 19 young men and women from Turkey can now help with luggage loading and aircraft cleaning at Nuremberg Airport.

The temporary colleagues are needed because the high season at the airport continues into autumn. "Welcome to our team!" Michael Hupe, Managing Director of Nuremberg Airport, welcomes the newcomers and is already appealing for permanent easing of the opportunities for employing workers from non-EU countries, because: "The next wave of summer travel is coming definitely."

The 19 Turkish colleagues were able to apply for temporary positions, regardless of whether or at which airport they had already worked, after the federal government created the possibility of issuing temporary work visas. They are paid according to the collective agreement, and the airport also provides apartments. The employment relationship can last until November 6, 2022 at the latest. 

In operational areas such as check-in, aircraft handling and baggage service, the airport has been able to hire around 2021 new colleagues since December 150. In addition, around 80 employees from administration, technology and management were trained to help out at peak times and during peak times. “Following the slump in our passenger numbers caused by Corona, this summer we have reached the pre-pandemic level again with around 680.000 passengers in the summer holidays alone. The main travel season runs until the end of October, during which the Turkish workers will mainly support the staff in baggage handling and cleaning the interior of the aircraft and make a valuable contribution so that our passengers can take off as relaxed as possible," Hupe continued. 

According to Michael Hupe, helping hands will also be needed in the coming year, for which the airport expects further increases in passenger numbers. “The German and EU labor market alone will not be able to meet the demand. This is already being caused by the demographic change that is becoming increasingly noticeable. We therefore appeal to politicians to initiate and accelerate the process for hiring workers from non-EU countries at an early stage enables the deployment of these workers, by the end of 2022 at the latest.