
Armand Zorn, deputy head of the German Social Democratic Party's parliamentary bloc, criticized the potential expansion of Emirates Airlines' take-off and landing rights at German airports, warning that this could move transport traffic and added value out of Germany and put hub airports under additional pressure, ahead of an official visit by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed to Germany.
AI-generated summary
Discussions are taking place in Germany about granting Emirates Airlines additional air transport rights, after a government openness last February to granting the company take-off and landing rights at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, while Lufthansa rejects this.
Vice-President of the Parliamentary Bloc of the Social Democratic Party, Armand Zörn, believes that the potential expansion of the take-off and landing rights of Emirates Airlines at German airports is worthy of criticism. Zorn said in statements to the German News Agency (DPA), "Before we open the way for additional access to the market, we must carefully study the conditions under which competition takes place, and the effects that this will have on our companies and their workers... Additional transport rights must not lead to the transfer of transport traffic and added value outside Germany, which puts German hub airports and important link lines under more pressure."
An upcoming visit by Mohammed bin Zayed to Germany
Zorn's statements come ahead of an official visit to Germany by the President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, where he is scheduled to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin the day after tomorrow, Thursday. Discussions have been taking place for some time regarding granting Emirates Airlines additional air transport rights. Last February, the German government expressed openness to granting Emirates Airlines take-off and landing rights at the capital’s Berlin-Brandenburg Airport. The German company Lufthansa, a competitor to Emirates Airlines, refuses to grant the latter an additional license in Germany.
"Germany needs a strong and competitive aviation sector... Therefore, I see at the present time that expanding air transport rights to airlines from the Gulf countries is something worthy of criticism," Zorn said. Zorn pointed out that German airlines face strong international competition, and said: “Good working conditions and adherence to wage agreements and workers’ rights are things that I naturally consider part of the conditions for fair competition and a strong economic presence.” These matters should not become a factor that harms companies that have a responsibility towards their employees in international competition.
Edited by: Imad Ghanem
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Discussions between Germany and the UAE about air transport rights will continue after Mohammed bin Zayed's visit
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