\n<\/p>\n
Aviation industry representatives reacted with outrage on Friday after learning that the German government had granted UAE airline Emirates permission to offer long-distance services from a fifth German airport.<\/p>\n
The announcement was made on the first day of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan’s visit to Berlin on Thursday, which marks the first-ever state visit by a president of the United Arab Emirates to Germany.<\/p>\n
Both sides plan to significantly expand cooperation, with the UAE announcing an additional \u20ac40 billion in investments in Germany.<\/p>\n
As part of the plans, the German government has agreed that, in future, Emirates will be permitted to operate flights to a fifth airport in Germany – in addition to its four existing destinations of Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Hamburg – with an agreed number of connections.<\/p>\n
The government did not name the capital, but Emirates has long sought access to Berlin’s airport.<\/p>\n
The BDF association, which represents the interests of German airlines, on Friday slammed the plans as “a sell-off of German jobs and another blow to our companies.”<\/p>\n
“We are appalled at how little consideration was given to the interests of German airlines and the employees of our companies in this decision,” said Michael Engel, BDF managing director, in a statement.<\/p>\n
The Verdi trade union said the decision was irresponsible and would come “at the expense of domestic jobs, value creation and part of our critical infrastructure.”<\/p>\n
Local politicians, on the other hand, have welcomed the step, with Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner describing it as good for economic development.<\/p>\n
Emirates would not be the only airline to offer flights from Berlin to the UAE, with Condor and Eurowings operating direct flights to Dubai from the end of October.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n