The Greens in the Bundestag criticize the billions in aid for air traffic as part of Corona aid programs. From the perspective of the Greens, these should have been linked to specific commitments for climate protection.
“This not only applies to airline rescue, but also to airports. It cannot be understood that the federal government is not linking state aid to binding conditions on climate, noise and air pollution control, ”said transport politician Daniela Wagner. “If the federal government does not use its structural options, a rollback to further increases in emissions is inevitable after the end of the crisis.”
The Federal Ministry of Transport had previously responded to a Small request The Greens Group calculated the financial aid for the airports.
The federal government supports above all airports in which it is involved. For example, Munich Airport applied to its shareholders for corona aid in the amount of almost 253 million euros, 66 million euros of which came from the federal government. The new BER airport in the capital will receive grants and loans of around 220 million euros for 2020 and 2021.
In addition, Berlin also supports smaller airports in which the federal government is not involved, but which it attaches particular importance to air traffic.
[Wenn Sie alle aktuellen Entwicklungen zur Coronavirus-Pandemie live auf Ihr Handy haben wollen, empfehlen wir Ihnen unsere App, die Sie hier für Apple- und Android-Geräte herunterladen können.]
“Airports should be available for keeping open at the beginning of the pandemic,” said the Federal Government’s answer, “these are the airports in Bremen, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Leipzig, Münster / Osnabrück, Nuremberg, Saarbrücken and Stuttgart ”.
Accordingly, the so-called reserve costs are to be reimbursed for the months of March to the end of June 2020, when the airports continued to operate despite a lack of passengers. Especially the regional airports are in the for ecological reasons criticism.
In response to the question of binding climate, noise protection and air pollution control requirements for airlines and airports, the Federal Government replied to the small question with a reference to Lufthansa’s commitments to continue the emission-reducing renewal of its fleet and to report on it. No specific requirements are given for airports.
“The federal government also contributes three-digit million sums to the costs for the air traffic control services, although these actually have to be financed through fees,” criticized Green transport politician Wagner. “These services did not cover their costs even before Corona and, thanks to state support, will not do it everywhere after Corona. Here, beyond the Corona crisis, the federal government must work to ensure that these services cover their costs. Otherwise it’s a hidden subsidy for the airline industry. “
–
