Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt want to gradually reduce their financial support for Leipzig/Halle and Dresden airports. Support for Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG (MFAG) is to be reduced to zero by 2030, explained Saxony's Finance Minister Christian Piwarz (CDU) in Dresden at the presentation of a study commissioned by MFAG.
A special approach is planned for Dresden. Saxony wants to support this airport with an additional nine million euros per year from 2027 until 2030 - without the participation of Saxony-Anhalt.
Stormy times, but the wind is dying down
The company is in a "very difficult restructuring situation", but it is showing initial success, said Piwarz and spoke of stormy times. But now the wind is calming down. The Finance Minister formulated a clear commitment to the airport holding company. There is a well-founded expectation that state subsidies will come to an end by the end of the decade.
Airport AG aims to operate without losses in 2026
The CEO of Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, Götz Ahmelmann, was similarly optimistic. The aim is to be in the black by 2030 under its own steam. The aim is to close the operating business with such a result as early as this year.
According to Piwarz, Saxony has reached an agreement with Saxony-Anhalt. The two shareholders were "unanimous" in their support for the airports. They would do well to maintain and further strengthen the airports. They are important for the development of the Free State of Saxony. According to the conclusion of the study, both states benefit considerably from the airports.
The two states have agreed on this
A new agreement between Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt provides for a gradual reduction in compensation payments for MFAG from a total of 37 million euros in 2026 - to 28 million euros next year, 21 million euros in 2028, 13 million euros in 2029 and finally to zero from 2030. According to the ministry, Saxony will contribute 81.3 percent of the payments and Saxony-Anhalt 18.7 percent.
Saxony-Anhalt's contribution will therefore be used exclusively to support tasks at Leipzig/Halle Airport. It is expected that MFAG will be able to manage without state support from 2030 onwards.
The structural compensation for Dresden is intended for costs of a non-economic nature. From 2027 and initially until 2030, the airport is to receive nine million euros annually. This sum will be provided exclusively by Saxony. The agreement still has to be signed by the Minister Presidents of both states and is subject to budgetary approval until the state budgets have been adopted.
Four billion euros of added value for the region
The study, which was carried out by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research (Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft Köln Consult), confirms that the airports have a high economic benefit. According to the study, Leipzig/Halle and Dresden Airports generate a total gross value added of 4.6 billion euros annually and secure 52,276 jobs. The annual tax revenue amounts to 875 million euros. This means that the tax revenue at state and municipal level exceeds the costs borne "more than sixfold". "Both airports are the lifeline for the Central German region," said Piwarz.
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