The debate surrounding the future of Dresden Airport is intensifying. While Leipzig/Halle Airport is experiencing steady growth and has established itself as an important logistics hub, Dresden Airport is struggling with declining passenger numbers and a strained economic situation.
Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG (MFAG), operator of both sites, is in constructive discussions with the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt regarding possible follow-up financing from 2027 onwards. In particular, Saxony-Anhalt's decision to no longer provide any further subsidies for Dresden Airport from this date onwards increases the pressure on those responsible to develop a viable concept for the airport's continued existence.
Growing gap between locations
The economic discrepancy between Leipzig/Halle and Dresden airports is becoming increasingly apparent, especially during the peak travel season for Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. Leipzig/Halle Airport is bustling, while Dresden remains comparatively quiet. This trend is reflected in passenger numbers: Leipzig/Halle recorded a 2024 percent increase in passenger traffic in 4,7, reaching 2.200.981 passengers, while Dresden suffered a 5,1 percent decline to 882.424 passengers. These figures were confirmed by aeroTELEGRAPH, among others, in January 2025.
The preference of many holidaymakers from eastern Germany for larger airports such as Leipzig, Frankfurt, or Munich is having a negative impact on smaller regional airports. Tammo Gause, Head of Transportation at the tour operator Dertour, confirms this trend: "From a tourism perspective, Dresden and Erfurt are nowhere near as important to us as Leipzig." This indicates a general trend in which travelers are increasingly taking advantage of larger hubs that can offer a wider range of destinations and airlines. A 2024 report by the German Aviation Association (BDL) pointed out that the concentration of air traffic at major hubs in Germany is increasing, while regional airports are coming under increasing pressure to prove their raison d'être.
Financial challenges and political debates
Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, which operates the airports in Leipzig/Halle and Dresden, faced an acute financial crisis last year. This crisis was only narrowly averted through new loans and shareholder subsidies. The Free State of Saxony has provided approximately 2024 million euros for the years 2026 to 100, including 77 million euros in the current budget, to support MFAG and thus also Dresden Airport.
However, airport financing is a subject of political debate. The state of Saxony-Anhalt has made it clear that it will not provide any further subsidies for Dresden Airport after 2027. Finance Minister Michael Richter (CDU) recently stated: "The state of Saxony knows that we do not want to continue to contribute to the losses caused by Dresden Airport." This stance on the part of Saxony-Anhalt is understandable, as Leipzig/Halle Airport, in which Saxony-Anhalt also has a stake, has a high cargo volume and is significantly more profitable, thus calling into question the need for subsidies for Dresden from Saxony-Anhalt's perspective. Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG is largely owned by the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, as well as the cities of Leipzig, Dresden, and Halle (Saale). This creates a complex ownership structure in which different regional interests clash.
Even in Saxony itself, criticism of the continued subsidization of Dresden Airport is mounting. Thomas Löser, a Green Party member of the state parliament, describes the continued financial support as difficult to justify. He calls for a viable concept for the airport that also includes alternative uses such as events. This demand for diversification of revenue sources is not new for regional airports, which increasingly need to position themselves as multifunctional locations to survive economically.
Potentials and future prospects from the operator's perspective
Despite the current challenges, Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG (Central German Airports) points to development potential at the Dresden site. Götz Ahmelmann, CEO of MFAG, emphasizes: "Dresden was and is a place of the future." They see opportunities for new business locations, company transport, and infrastructure projects. This view is shared by supporters of the airport, who point to Dresden's importance as a business and scientific location. The region around Dresden is home to numerous high-tech companies and research institutions that rely on good international connections. For example, Dresden is an important location for the microelectronics industry in Europe, which, according to a 2023 report by the Saxon state government, requires an appropriate logistical infrastructure.
MFAG could attempt to attract new airlines or expand its charter flight offerings to increase passenger volume. Developing cargo traffic is also an option, although Leipzig/Halle, with DHL as Europe's largest air cargo hub, already plays a dominant role here. According to AERO International, Leipzig/Halle Airport is the fifth-largest air cargo center in Europe, handling approximately 2024 million tons of air cargo in 1,4, a figure on par with the previous year. This demonstrates that the cargo market in Central Germany, while strong, is primarily served by Leipzig/Halle.
The search for alternative use concepts, as called for by the opposition, could offer a realistic perspective for Dresden. This could include the use of unused land for commercial development, the hosting of major events, or the establishment of a maintenance or training center. The infrastructure, such as a commuter rail connection and attractive event spaces, is already in place, as the Green Party faction in the Saxon State Parliament noted in a press release from June 2025.
Regional competitors and comparison
Dresden Airport's situation is not unique among Germany's smaller regional airports. Many struggle with underutilization and competition from larger hubs. Erfurt-Weimar Airport, also located in central Germany, faces similar challenges. Although it is the only airport in Thuringia connected to the international air traffic network and boasts modern infrastructure, it too struggles with low passenger numbers, which are largely attributable to tourist charter traffic. In 2023, Erfurt-Weimar Airport handled around 200.000 passengers, far from its capacity. The competitive landscape is shaped by its proximity to the major hubs of Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin, which attract many travelers with their comprehensive offerings.
Saxony's airport strategy will be significantly shaped in the coming months by the discussions between the federal states and Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG. It will be crucial whether a viable financing model can be found that secures Dresden Airport's existence beyond 2026. Without a clear perspective and a strategic reorientation, Dresden Airport faces an uncertain future. Saxony-Anhalt's decision not to provide further financial aid further exacerbates the situation and forces Saxony to shape the airport's future independently or find new partners.
Dresden Airport is at a crossroads. The growing discrepancy with Leipzig/Halle, the critical financial situation, and Saxony-Anhalt's declining willingness to co-finance require an urgent strategic realignment. While MFAG and the Free State of Saxony see potential in new business locations and company transport, critics such as state parliament member Thomas Löser are calling for a comprehensive concept that also considers alternative uses. The upcoming discussions on follow-up financing from 2027 onwards will be crucial for the future of Dresden Airport and its role in Saxony's economic and transport landscape.