Leipzig/Halle and Dresden Are Considering Renovating Their Airports

Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG is reviewing the infrastructure of its two airports in Leipzig/Halle and Dresden. This review also includes the possibility of constructing a smaller new terminal in the state capital. In addition, changes to passenger and baggage handling at both airports are being evaluated. This is according to information provided by the company. The “Leipziger Volkszeitung” and “Sächsische Zeitung” had previously reported on this.

Concept Study Outlines Possible Future Scenarios

According to the airport operator, a concept study outlining possible development paths for both locations was presented to employees. No decisions regarding a new terminal or other specific infrastructure measures have been made yet. Rather, various options are now being further examined, validated, and refined.

“We did not present any definitive answers yesterday, but rather defined the questions we must answer in the coming years,” said MFAG CEO Götz Ahmelmann. Now the real work begins.

According to the company, Dresden is examining how the terminal infrastructure can be structured in the long term to be both cost-effective and tailored to demand. The reason for this is that the existing terminal was designed for significantly higher passenger numbers than the airport has recently seen.

Changes to check-in and boarding are conceivable

In Leipzig/Halle, too, adjustments to processes and procedures are being examined. According to MFAG, this includes a possible relocation of the check-in area. In addition, the increased use of so-called walk-boarding solutions is being examined. In this process, passengers walk across the tarmac to their aircraft instead of using jet bridges.

“We want to position Leipzig/Halle and Dresden so that they remain economically viable, competitive, and efficient in the long term,” Ahmelmann emphasized. 

Support for these plans comes from the Dresden CDU city council faction. It welcomed the consideration of a possible new terminal in Dresden. It is important, however, that flight connections to the Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt and Munich be maintained.