Could companies secure new connections at eastern airports?

New flight connections could also be created at Leipzig/Halle and Dresden Airports with the help of the regional economy. According to Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, a survey of companies and an examination of possible financing models have already been carried out. The Mitteldeutsche Zeitung had previously reported.

"In cases where airlines withdraw, the regional economy could support certain routes independently via a joint organizational platform, without state aid, but with clear regional benefits," said MFAG spokesman Uwe Schuhart. This is a description of a possible model based on the example of Paderborn Airport.

If airlines leave, the economy steps in?

The background to the considerations were the recently announced and discussed cancellations of flight connections. Lufthansa had already discontinued the Leipzig-Munich route and also announced last fall that it was also reviewing the Dresden-Munich connection in light of high national location costs. After the German government announced a withdrawal of the increase in the air traffic tax, the airline later declared that there would be no further flight cuts in the 2026 summer timetable. The Dresden-Munich connection will therefore be retained.

Last year, MFAG said it had already surveyed around 1,100 companies about the flight offerings from Leipzig/Halle. Around a third of the companies contacted responded. Although there was a basic need for business travel, this was spread across many international destinations. "The survey did not reveal any binding willingness on the part of individual companies to financially secure specific "desired routes"," said Schuhart.

Withdrawal of the federal states also forces new ideas

The considerations are also linked to the decision by the federal states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt to gradually reduce their financial support for the airport holding company. From 2030, MFAG is to manage without state funding. This decision was announced in January.