For Frankfurt-Hahn Airport, the judgment of the European Union court was very likely a shock: The preliminary stage of the ECJ overturned the approval of a loss cover for the period from 2017 to 2021. It is about 25,3 million euros that the regional airport must pay back if the judgment becomes final.

Lufthansa had sued against the approval of the EU Commission and prevailed in the first instance. It should be noted in this context that the German state grabbed this airline under its wings with up to nine billion euros in the previous year, and Condor and Ryanair, among others, have brought actions against this before the Court of the European Union. The first-mentioned airline has received government-secured loans several times.

The ruling of the EU court contains, among other reasons, that the EU Commission did not adequately examine the Hahn and Frankfurt / Main catchment areas. The business models were also not dealt with sufficiently. The Commission can now appeal to the European Court of Justice. Therefore, the further development remains to be seen.