Berlin and Brandenburg are putting pressure on the federal government: Both states want to establish Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER) as a stronger hub for international flight connections and are calling for an expansion of long-haul services.
At the heart of the debate is the demand for more intercontinental flights, which could position BER as an important location for investment and economic growth in eastern Germany. But federal politicians have so far resisted this – the case of the Arab airline Emirates in particular shows how complicated the situation is.
Long-haul flights as an economic engine
BER, which only opened in 2020 after years of delays and construction problems, has been fighting for a position as a major international airport ever since. Compared to other German airports such as Frankfurt am Main or Munich, BER lags behind, especially when it comes to long-haul connections. The lack of direct connections to major economic centers such as the USA, Asia or the Middle East is affecting the region's attractiveness for investors and business travelers.
Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) and Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) see this as a major deficit. In a conversation with the "Handelsblatt", Wegner made it clear that more intercontinental connections would not only strengthen the airport's infrastructure, but would also be a "strong signal for investment in East Germany". At a time when East Germany is still struggling with structural challenges, new international connections could strengthen the region economically and provide better global connectivity.
The role of the federal government
Wegner and Woidke believe that the federal government has a duty to support the international ambitions of BER. But the federal government is hesitant. A prominent example of this reluctance is the case of the airline Emirates. The airline had already shown interest in expanding its activities at BER and adding additional long-haul connections. But the federal government refused to grant the airline the necessary permits. The reasons for this include international agreements and competition concerns, which are being expressed in particular by German airlines such as Lufthansa.
This blocking attitude is viewed critically by many in Berlin and Brandenburg. They argue that it must be in the interest of the entire country - and not just individual airlines - to strengthen BER as an international airport. The region feels that these decisions are holding it back and is calling for a course correction in federal politics.
Competitive pressure and international agreements
A central problem in the debate about the expansion of long-haul routes at BER is the international air traffic market and competition among the major airlines. Lufthansa, the dominant German airline, has a strong interest in protecting its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. These airports are the most important hubs for long-haul traffic in Germany. If a third German airport - in this case BER - were to offer more long-haul connections, this could lead to a redistribution of passengers and possibly economic losses for the established hubs.
In addition, international flight connections are often the result of bilateral air transport agreements between states. Emirates is a particularly controversial topic in this context. The airline from the United Arab Emirates is considered one of the biggest international competitors of European airlines and is perceived by some as being overly subsidized. Lufthansa in particular has repeatedly criticized Emirates' expansion plans and argued that the Arab airline has an unfair competitive advantage due to state support.
Opportunities for BER
Despite these obstacles, Wegner and Woidke see BER as a location with great potential. The airport's geographical location, its proximity to Eastern European markets and Berlin's growing importance as an international metropolis all speak in favor of expanding long-haul services. In addition, BER could help reduce Germany's dependence on Frankfurt and Munich airports and create more competition in national air traffic.
For BER, the expansion of intercontinental connections would also be an opportunity to develop into a serious international hub after the initial difficulties. The latest passenger figures show that BER is gradually stabilizing, but without a stronger long-haul offering it will fall short of expectations. It is also a question of international visibility: an airport that offers regular direct flights to the most important economic regions of the world is more likely to be noticed by international investors and companies.
The federal government is on the move
The demands from Berlin and Brandenburg make it clear that the expansion of BER is a national matter that affects more than just the region. A strong BER could promote economic development in eastern Germany and at the same time strengthen Germany's role in international air traffic. But this requires political support and a change in the federal government's current aviation policy. However, as long as the federal government sticks to its restrictive stance towards new long-haul connections, the potential of BER will remain untapped.
It remains to be seen whether the pressure from the two federal states and the economy will be enough to force a reorientation of aviation policy. One thing is clear: the future of BER and the region depends largely on whether the airport can be turned into an important international hub.
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