Fewer passengers in Dresden - Leipzig slightly on the upswing

The passenger figures at Leipzig/Halle and Dresden airports, which are already struggling financially, offer little hope of improvement. Both airports together recorded a total of just over three million passengers in 2024, 1.7 percent more than in 2023, according to Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG (MFAG) in Leipzig. While growth of 4.7 percent was recorded at Leipzig/Halle, there was a decline of 5.1 percent in the state capital. The number of aircraft movements at both airports combined was just below the previous year's level at a good 97,000 take-offs and landings.

Air freight volumes stagnate

Air freight volumes in Leipzig stagnated compared to the previous year. Last year, 1.4 million tons of freight were handled. Leipzig/Halle Airport is the fifth-largest air freight hub in Europe.

More job cuts than expected

It had previously become known that the financial difficulties at Leipzig/Halle and Dresden Airports could result in more job cuts than originally expected. According to Mitteldeutsche Flughafen AG, up to 250 jobs could be lost. There had previously been talk of 122 jobs. The group of companies currently has around 1,200 jobs.

The job cuts are to take place gradually until the end of 2026. The management level and administration at the Leipzig and Dresden sites will be particularly affected. By contrast, the operational area will only be affected to a small extent.

Important restructuring targets not achieved

MFAG has been in a difficult financial situation for years. The airports are making high losses, which are mainly due to write-downs on investments in infrastructure. As important restructuring targets were not achieved, banks refused to pay out agreed loans.

Last year, the group was able to avert an acute financial crisis. With the help of new bank loans and grants from the shareholders Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, a financing gap of 145 million euros was closed. The company's financing is thus secured until the end of 2026.