Dortmund Airport had to record a 55 percent decrease to 1,2 million travelers in the previous year. This is also noticeable in the financial figures, because according to the media statement, the "Corona damage" is around eleven million euros.

On Friday, Managing Director Ludger van Bebber presented the figures for 2020 to the Supervisory Board. The expected annual result for 2020 is now minus 21,8 million euros (2019: minus 10,4 million euros). The (EU) operating result (annual result without depreciation, interest and government costs) was minus 2020 million euros in 12.

“Due to the corona pandemic, both aviation and non-aviation revenues fell. B. Income from the parking business or rentals, noticeable. Savings on the other hand, such as the introduction of short-time work, the deferral of investments and process optimization, resulted in Covid 19 damage of a good 11 million euros, ”said Ludger van Bebber. “With the increase in the number of passengers, the annual result will also improve noticeably. The prerequisite for this is a significant increase in vaccinations and a good test strategy ”.

Dortmund Airport is currently unable to use a rescue package that compensates for part of the financial damage suffered: “The maintenance costs alone during the first lockdown amounted to almost 5 million euros. These costs arose because Dortmund Airport - like all airports - had opened its infrastructure in the interests of the state in order to maintain supply chains for medical care, to be able to carry out return, ambulance and rescue flights and to transport systemically important workers. These costs are now only reimbursed to 15 airports. Six - including Dortmund Airport - go away empty-handed. This arbitrary distinction between the airports is unique in the context of Corona support programs and is absolutely incomprehensible to us! The long-announced relief from air traffic control costs of around 1,5 million euros per year, which would finally remove our disadvantage compared to other airports, has not yet materialized, ”summarizes van Bebber.

Dortmund has to purchase a new baggage handling system

At airports, the fully automatic and multi-level baggage control systems (MRKA) ensure the seamless control of the pieces of baggage. Since a new standard will apply from September 2022, the Federal Procurement Office has procured new aviation security control technology to implement seamless baggage control. The new MRKA should be installed at Dortmund Airport in mid-2022 and be ready for operation. By using a new X-ray device, the aviation security authority also wants to ensure that there is a suitable compensation device in the event of failure of the X-ray technology implemented in the control system.

Since the new control system is significantly larger and heavier than the current system, it must be installed in a different location than before. With the construction of an extension to the terminal building in the area of ​​aircraft parking position 5, a suitable space is to be created that meets all the required criteria and is also suitable for future equipment changes.