Exchange on the State of Germany as an Air Transport Hub
At the Wissenschaftsforum Berlin on 19 May 2025, experts from academia, the aviation industry, and politics gathered to discuss key challenges facing Germany as an air transport location. The event, organised by the German Aviation Research Society (GARS), featured the presentation of recent studies and provided a platform for dialogue on site-related costs, regulatory issues, and potential reforms in the aviation sector.
Exchange on the State of Germany as an Air Transport Hub
At the Wissenschaftsforum Berlin on 19 May 2025, experts from academia, the aviation industry, and politics gathered to discuss key challenges facing Germany as an air transport location. The event, organised by the German Aviation Research Society (GARS), featured the presentation of recent studies and provided a platform for dialogue on site-related costs, regulatory issues, and potential reforms in the aviation sector.
In the picture: Dr. Sven Maertens, DLR Institute of Air Transport.
Exchange on the State of Germany as an Air Transport Hub
At the Wissenschaftsforum Berlin on 19 May 2025, experts from academia, the aviation industry, and politics gathered to discuss key challenges facing Germany as an air transport location. The event, organised by the German Aviation Research Society (GARS), featured the presentation of recent studies and provided a platform for dialogue on site-related costs, regulatory issues, and potential reforms in the aviation sector.
Presentation of the site cost study by the DLR Institute of Air Transport
Discussion on competitive conditions
Air Transport in International Comparison: Expert Dialogue in Berlin
On 19 May 2025, the German Aviation Research Society (GARS) hosted a workshop on the competitiveness of Germany’s air transport sector. The event followed the publication of a study on site-related costs, commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) and conducted by the DLR Institute of Air Transport. The goal of the workshop was to bring together academic findings and industry perspectives and to discuss potential policy responses.
Key Studies Presented – Focus on Site Costs
The first part of the workshop featured the presentation of three recent studies. Alongside the “Air Transport for Berlin” initiative (Prof. Dr. Karsten Benz, Worms University of Applied Sciences), the DLR’s report on site costs in the German aviation sector (Dr. Sven Maertens, DLR Institute of Air Transport) was a focal point. Additionally, Prof. Dr. Frank Fichert (Worms University of Applied Sciences) examined the effects of the air transport tax in international comparison.
The discussions highlighted a growing pressure on Germany’s aviation sector within the European market. The reasons are complex and multifaceted: besides comparatively high charges, demand- and supply-side factors and insufficient incentive regulation along the value chain were also identified as contributors to limited operational efficiency.
Air Navigation Services and Competition Topics
Another focus of the workshop was the current state of competition in air navigation services in airport terminal areas (approach and tower control). Marek Bekier (ACR Group) shared insights from the perspective of an air navigation service provider, while Prof. Dr. Hans-Martin Niemeier (Bremen City University of Applied Sciences) evaluated potential reform approaches from an academic standpoint.
Panel Discussion Featuring Voices from Academia, Industry, and Politics
The workshop concluded with a panel discussion involving representatives from academia, politics, and the aviation industry on possible strategies to strengthen Germany’s position as an air transport hub. The session was moderated by David Haße (airliners.de). The discussion revealed that improvements to the fee structure, planning certainty, and competitive conditions are key levers for progress.
The event demonstrated the importance of a deeper dialogue among stakeholders on the economic framework conditions required to ensure the long-term viability of Germany as an air transport location in global competition. The workshop provided a fact-based platform to discuss structural challenges and potential solutions for the German air transport sector. The insights and findings may serve as a basis for future political and economic decision-making.
