IHK President Brings Up Possibility of Dresden Airport's Privatization - IHK President Brings Up Possibility of Dresden Airport's Privatization
Dresden Airport faces an uncertain future as financial losses mount. In 2024, Saxony’s airports reported their worst-ever deficit of €53.5 million. Now, a leading business figure has proposed privatisation as a possible way forward.
Andreas Sperl, president of the Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), suggested splitting Dresden Airport from the Central German Airport Group (MFAG) and selling it to private investors. He stressed that no specific buyers have been named, but the idea should be explored due to the airport’s deepening financial troubles.
The MFAG is mainly owned by the states of Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, with smaller shares held by the cities of Leipzig, Dresden, and Halle. Saxony-Anhalt has already announced it will cut funding for Dresden Airport by 2027 at the latest. Sperl argued that shareholders must now decide whether to keep subsidising the airport or seek other solutions.
Despite the financial strain, Sperl called Dresden Airport a vital asset for the region. He pointed to the growing semiconductor industry and the need to maintain and expand flight connections. While admitting privatisation might not succeed, he urged officials to examine the option carefully.
The proposal comes as Dresden Airport struggles with record losses. If privatisation moves ahead, the next steps would depend on investor interest and political decisions. For now, the airport’s future remains tied to its financial challenges and regional economic needs.
