Kassel Airport: Despite deficits, the state government remains optimistic

Kassel Airport: Despite deficits, the state government remains optimistic

at Kassel Airport, which has been in the red figures since its opening over a decade ago, there is still hope for a positive development. The Hessian state government, in particular the Ministry of Transport, is confident that despite the existing challenges of the airport, the airport plays an important role in the infrastructure of northern Hesse. This decision is viewed critically by many pages and remains a controversial topic.

In Wiesbaden, the news has recently been spread that the fears were rejected before a decline in flight connections at Kassel Airport. A wording from the Ministry says that the importance of the airport is not solely in the number of flights. Despite the feedback and concerns of the Greens opposition, which speaks of an “impending descent”, the state government believes that the airport should continue to be strengthened. The flight connections are currently only "in homeopathic doses", but the official position remains that there are no signs of insignificant time.

economic challenges and development

While critical voices indicate that the airport has continuously accumulated deficits since its opening, the ministry confirms that many infrastructural institutions are dependent on government support. The Kassel airport is no exception. With an annual misalignment of just under 5 million euros for 2023, he remains a financial problem child, but you try to gradually reduce the financial needs.

However, the economic effects of the airport should not be underestimated. Since 2012, the settlements at the location have almost been doubled. From the beginning of 19 companies that were based in the year before reopening, around 40 companies have now found their home at Kassel Airport. The number of employees there has also increased from 704 to over 1,300. This data underpin the fact that despite the financial problems, the airport has an economic importance for the region.

The role of the country and the shareholder

The state of Hesse plays a crucial role in leading the airport, since it is the largest shareholder with 68 percent of the shares. The city and the district of Kassel each hold 14.5 percent of the shares, while the municipality of Calden is 3 percent involved. This distribution of the shares shows how regionally rooted the airport is and that the state government is strongly investing in the preservation and promotion of the infrastructure.

How the future of the airport develops remains to be seen. The pressure on the state government of finding solutions to the financial challenges is great. In the meantime, it remains to be seen whether new flight connections are planned to meet the needs of the region.