Transport · Berlin and Dubai
Germany grants UAE airlines landing rights for fifth airport, opening Berlin to Dubai route
The German federal government amended a 1994 bilateral treaty to permit seven weekly flights between Berlin and the United Arab Emirates alongside a 40 billion euro investment package.
AI text based on reports by Der Tagesspiegel, Berliner Zeitung, Frankfurter Allgemeine and other publishers. Changed . How it is made
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In brief
The amended 1994 agreement increases the number of authorized German destination airports for UAE carriers from four to five, allowing up to seven weekly flights to Berlin.
The transport agreement was finalized on 10 September 2026 during a visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, tied to a 40 billion euro UAE investment plan in Germany.
BDF managing director Michael Engel and Ver.di representative Dennis Dacke opposed the deal, arguing that Gulf carriers operate under differing labour and environmental standards.
Berlin Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and Transport Senator Ute Bonde endorsed the decision to establish direct long-haul connectivity to Asia, Africa, and Oceania via Dubai.
- 1994Germany and the UAE conclude a bilateral aviation agreement allowing flights to four German airports.
- June 2010Emirates leadership visits Berlin to seek capital landing rights from the federal government.
- 10 SeptGermany and the UAE agree to amend the treaty, expanding access to a fifth airport for up to seven weekly flights.
Bilateral agreement expansion
The German federal government agreed to amend its bilateral air transport agreement with the United Arab Emirates, granting UAE carriers access to a fifth German airport. The original aviation pact from 1994 restricted UAE airlines to four destinations: Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg. Under the revised framework finalized during a Berlin visit by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE carriers can schedule up to seven flights per week to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) while operations to the existing four airports remain capped. The aviation measure accompanies a broader 40 billion euro investment package planned by the Emirates in Germany.
Industry and labour opposition
German airline representatives and labour groups condemned the expansion. The Federal Association of German Airlines (BDF) and Lufthansa warned that granting additional landing rights diverts passenger volume and economic value away from German hub airports toward the Gulf. Industry leaders pointed out that European carriers must meet higher domestic standards regarding employee collective bargaining, social rights, and environmental regulations compared to subsidized foreign competitors.
“We are appalled by how little the interests of German airlines and their employees were taken into account in this decision.”
Trade union Ver.di echoed the objection, warning of negative effects on domestic aviation jobs and critical transport infrastructure. Dennis Dacke, federal group leader for aviation at Ver.di, argued that the arrangement blocks opportunities for other carriers to develop standalone long-haul routes from the German capital.
Regional economic support in Berlin
Political and business leaders in Berlin and Brandenburg welcomed the market opening after years of diplomatic and regional lobbying. Berlin Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and Transport Senator Ute Bonde stated that direct flights to Dubai offer the capital region efficient connections across Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Alexander Schirp, managing director of the Berlin-Brandenburg business association (UVB), noted that the daily service provides local enterprises with direct access to a major global commercial hub.
“Today our long effort pays off: BER receives the international connection that a capital city deserves.”
- 1994 agreement
- 4 airports
- 2026 amendment
- 5 airports
Data from the article text
Airline competition and regulatory timeline
Lufthansa traditionally channels intercontinental travellers from eastern Germany through its primary hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, leaving Berlin Brandenburg Airport with few year-round long-haul routes. Seasonal winter flights between Berlin and Dubai are currently operated by Condor and Eurowings. Although the intergovernmental treaty text specifies an additional airport rather than Emirates directly, the Dubai carrier has sought Berlin landing rights since at least June 2010, while Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad also recently expressed interest. Airport operator CEO Aletta von Massenbach did not immediately issue a public statement, and administrative proceedings in the UAE will determine the formal start date for scheduled flights.
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Sources and context
- Der TagesspiegelAuf der Langstrecke bleibt der BER ein Zwerg: Was bringt die neue Emirates-Flugverbindung den Berlinern?
- Berliner ZeitungBER jubelt, Lufthansa tobt: Die Reaktionen auf den Emirates-Deal
- Frankfurter AllgemeineEmirates und der BER: Was aus dem Deal jetzt folgt
- ZEIT ONLINEAirline Emirates: Deutsche Airlines kritisieren zusätzliche Flugrechte für Emirates
- Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- President of the United Arab Emirates
- Michael Engel
- Managing Director of the Federal Association of German Airlines (BDF)
- Kai Wegner
- Governing Mayor of Berlin
- Sepp Müller
- Deputy chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag
- Places
- Dubai
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