The German government has authorized Emirates to operate flights to Berlin. Reached under a landmark bilateral air services agreement, the decision expands the carrier’s traffic rights beyond its four existing German gateways, sparking fierce backlash across the German aviation sector.
Bilateral Agreement and Multi-Billion-Euro Investments
The announcement came on the first day of an official state visit to Berlin by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marking the first official visit to Germany by a President of the United Arab Emirates.
As part of a strategy to significantly deepen bilateral cooperation, UAE authorities pledged an additional €40 billion ($43.5 billion) in investments across Germany.
Under the terms concluded between both governments:
- New Market Access: Going forward, Emirates will be permitted to add a fifth gateway in Germany with an agreed-upon number of frequencies.
- Existing Network: This destination joins the four cities where the airline already operates scheduled services: Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.
Fierce Pushback from German Airlines and Labor Unions
The liberalization of traffic rights to allow a fifth destination triggered immediate outrage among domestic aviation representatives, who questioned the move’s impact on the local market.
The Federal Association of the German Air Transport Industry (Bundesverband der Deutschen Fluggesellschaften, BDF), which represents domestic carriers, labeled the development “a sellout of German jobs and a further blow” to its member airlines.
“We are dismayed by how little regard was given to the interests of German airlines and their employees in this decision,” said Michael Engel, Executive Director of the BDF.
The trade union Verdi echoed these concerns, calling the federal government’s decision irresponsible and arguing it comes “at the expense of domestic employment, domestic value creation, and critical national infrastructure.”
Political Endorsement and the Competitive Landscape
In sharp contrast to the corporate and labor backlash, local politicians welcomed the announcement. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner praised the breakthrough, highlighting it as a significant catalyst for local economic development.
Should service materialize from the capital, Emirates will not be the sole operator connecting Berlin to the United Arab Emirates:
- German carriers Condor and Eurowings are scheduled to launch nonstop flights to Dubai starting in late October.
Under this memorandum of understanding, the addition of a fifth German destination sets a major precedent in bilateral trade relations between both nations, with market entry pending the formalization of frequencies and official schedule filings for the agreed-upon routes.
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