Debate about the future of Dresden Airport picks up speed

The discussion about the future of Dresden Airport is gaining momentum. "Both states are currently in constructive talks about possible follow-up financing from 2027," the Saxon Ministry of Finance announced in response to a request. The background to this is the growing economic gap between the airports in Leipzig/Halle and Dresden - especially now during the peak travel season in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.

While Leipzig/Halle Airport is very busy, things remain comparatively quiet in Dresden. "From a tourism perspective, Dresden and Erfurt are nowhere near as important to us as Leipzig," says Tammo Gause, Head of Transportation at tour operator Dertour. Many holidaymakers from eastern Germany switch to larger airports such as Leipzig, Frankfurt or Munich.

Leipzig is growing, Dresden is shrinking

This is also reflected in the figures: Leipzig/Halle recorded an increase in passengers of 4.7 percent in 2024, while Dresden saw a decline of 5.1 percent. The economic situation of the operator, Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG (MFAG), remains tense. An acute financial crisis was only narrowly averted last year thanks to new loans and shareholder subsidies.

For 2024 to 2026, the Free State of Saxony is providing around 100 million euros, 77 million of which is in the current budget. Saxony-Anhalt, on the other hand, no longer wants to provide subsidies for Dresden Airport from 2027. "The state of Saxony knows that we no longer want to contribute to the losses caused by Dresden Airport," explained Finance Minister Michael Richter (CDU) recently.

Criticism from the opposition

There is also criticism in Saxony. Green Party member of the state parliament Thomas Löser calls the ongoing subsidization difficult to explain and is calling for a sustainable concept that also includes alternative uses such as events.

The MFAG, on the other hand, points to development potential at the location. "Dresden was and is a place of the future," emphasizes CEO Götz Ahmelmann. The company sees opportunities in settlements, factory traffic and infrastructure projects.