The supervisory board of Flughafen Kassel GmbH has unanimously elected Till Kaesbach, the Hessian State Secretary for Finance, as its new chairman. He succeeds Uwe Becker, who held the position for a period of one year.
With Kaesbach's election, a representative of the Hessian Ministry of Finance takes the helm of the committee, underscoring the strategic importance of the state of Hesse as a shareholder. The deputy positions remain unchanged, held by Kassel's Mayor Sven Schoeller and the District Administrator of the Kassel district, Andreas Siebert.
The personnel changes come at a time when the economic development of the regional airport is under close scrutiny. Till Kaesbach, who has served as State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance since the beginning of 2024, will assume the chairmanship of the supervisory board at a time when the future direction and financial consolidation of the airport are being debated. Kassel-Calden Airport regularly faces discussions about passenger numbers and the profitability of flight operations, which is why the expertise from the state's finance department will play a particularly important role in future budget planning.
Additional industry reports indicate that Kassel Airport GmbH requires close coordination between the state, city, and district to limit operating losses and maintain stable flight services for the North Hesse region. Several expert reports on the airport's financial situation have been conducted in the past, emphasizing, among other things, the location's importance to the regional job market and local industry. Kaesbach will now be tasked with coordinating the differing interests of the municipal and state shareholders and supporting management in implementing efficiency measures.
Kassel-Calden Airport serves as a vital infrastructure component for Northern Hesse, particularly for charter flights and general aviation. Despite the challenges of competing with larger hubs, the shareholders remain committed to maintaining a strong position within the national air transport network. The appointment of Till Kaesbach aims to ensure continuity in oversight while simultaneously bringing fresh impetus to the company's financial management. Close collaboration with local representatives Schoeller and Siebert is intended to guarantee regionally balanced development.