Germany has different classifications of airports and that is exactly what could be the fatality of the regional airports and airfields. The federal government only wants to give financial support to those airports that have been officially declared as “international”.

In the case of the smaller airports, reference is made to the responsibility of the federal states. At first glance, however, there are gross injustices because there are regional airports that had a higher volume than, for example, Saarbrücken Airport, which is classified as international. Those who are not declared “international” should only receive relief in terms of fees and charges. Any support from the respective federal states is not affected.

Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) wants to set up the so-called “Aviation Billion” together with the federal states. These have already made available 500 million euros and the federal government is to contribute the other half. The bottom line, however, is that the international airports will receive less money than originally promised. Every cent that has flowed from countries or cities is deducted.

Regional airports should in fact go away empty-handed

In addition, the federal government only wants to invest in the 12 “international airports”. As a result, the regional airports and airfields will not receive any money from the state and will therefore be placed even worse off. The amount that is raised for this is also lower. There is no longer any talk of a billion, because only 200 million euros should flow. Incidentally, especially small international airports will not receive anything.

The result is that airports in Dortmund, Weeze, Hahn, Karlsruhe-Baden-Baden, Memmingen, Kassel-Calden, Lübeck, Rostock-Laage, Friedrichshafen and Paderborn will not receive any money from the government. In Berlin-Brandenburg, Cologne / Bonn and Munich, the financial obligations that the federal government has as a shareholder are included in the rescue package. All in all, it is about 400 million euros.

The regional airports and airfields will have to make do with the aid provided by the federal states. The federal government only wants to reimburse a small part of the air traffic control costs incurred for maintaining operational readiness. In 2021, the comparatively low amount of only 20 million euros is at stake. At the same time, however, the German air traffic control system is being helped with 300 million euros, and this sum is also added to the airport rescue package.

Below is an excerpt of which airport is officially classified: