Overview

• Kai Wegner says Berlin and East Germany are largely cut off from international air travel, calling current long-haul options at BER inadequate.
• He plans to raise the issue with eastern state leaders at the Ost‑MPK on Thursday at Schloss Ettersburg near Weimar, where Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected.
• Wegner is pressing for a reduction of Germany’s air traffic tax to make departures from the country more competitive.
• He contends that some airlines are ready to add long-haul services from BER if regulatory hurdles are eased.
• Business and tourism groups in Berlin have echoed concerns about insufficient long-haul connectivity.