Overview
- The federal government approved one daily Emirates service to Berlin and allowed Emirates to keep its existing German frequencies, adding a tenth daily frequency to the country.
- Lufthansa and the industry group BDF sharply criticized the decision, saying it undermines efforts to strengthen domestic airlines and risks moving jobs and value creation to Gulf hubs.
- Transport Minister Steffen Bilger defended the approval as strengthening Germany’s aviation location, while Emirates has not issued an immediate public comment.
- In rapid market moves, Lufthansa group subsidiary Eurowings announced it will resume daily Berlin–Dubai flights and restart Stuttgart–Dubai services and Condor said it will re-enter the Berlin–Dubai market at low fares.
- The deal reflects long-standing bilateral bargaining over air rights and years of Emirates interest in Berlin as a new long-haul destination, and it may increase direct connectivity for Berlin passengers while intensifying price and hub competition.