Air Transport Industry Summits Planned by Scheuer to Ensure Survival
Berlin - Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer has initiated calls for fresh COVID-19 relief for the aviation sector, particularly the 22 airports in Germany that employ 180,000 people. In an interview with the Funke media group's Sunday editions, Scheuer expressed concerns about the preservation of this vital infrastructure, given a decrease in passenger volume to 20% of the normal level. In response, he will propose an aid concept for the airports.
Scheuer emphasized the importance of airports as part of the national infrastructure, fostering entrepreneurship and playing a pivotal role in the equality of living conditions. He acknowledged the need to address the broader implications of the entire aviation industry, from airplane manufacturers to airlines, in the current pandemic situation. In the event of a breakdown in a minor service such as ground handling, passengers risk being left with no luggage.
According to the European Commission, aid packages have been granted to airlines like Condor, including a €90 million debt write-off on a €550 million state-guaranteed public loan. Airports like Frankfurt continue to focus on infrastructure development, with Fraport preparing for the opening of Terminal 3 in 2026. However, challenges persist in attracting international visitors, due partly to high taxes and fees that make flights less competitive compared to other European destinations.
Calls for policy reforms aim to enhance Germany's appeal as a tourist destination. Normally, EU state aid rules stipulate that recipients must contribute significantly to restructuring efforts. It remains unclear how this principle applies to German airports in the specific context of the COVID-19 crisis.
- Andreas Scheuer, the Transport Minister, has highlighted the role of airports in bolstering the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as the broader business sector, by fostering entrepreneurship and leveling living conditions nationwide.
- The Minister has proposed an aid concept not only for Germany's airports, which employ 180,000 people, but also for the aviation industry as a whole, acknowledging its critical role from airplane manufacturing to airline operations.
- The Minister's call for fresh COVID-19 relief for the aviation sector further highlights the interconnectedness of the industry with other sectors like finance and transportation, as a breakdown in minor services like ground handling could potentially impact transportation for passengers, potentially leaving them without luggage.
