Saarbrücken Airport: Positive results, solid prospects

At today's annual press conference, the management presented its plans for the coming years and the results for the past year. It became clear that the development since the coronavirus slump has been continuously positive and that the airport is in a solid financial position for the coming years.

At the annual press conference inthe airport terminal, the management of Saarbrücken Airport (SCN), Rita Gindorf-Wagner and Thomas Schuck, gave a positive assessment of 2023 and made it clear that SCN is in a good economic position for the coming years.

The overall situation remains extremely difficult for the entire aviation industry and the travel sector. The disruptive effects of the coronavirus crisis are not yet over. And with consumers holding back on spending due to economic uncertainty, inflation, and crises around the world, as well as ever-increasing security requirements and general cost increases, the industry faces additional challenges. Saarbrücken International Airport is no exception.

Nevertheless, the airport recorded growth in all key figures for last year:

• Since the coronavirus slump, passenger numbers have risen steadily, reaching over 309,000 passengers, an increase of 3.5% compared to the previous year.

• Just under 29,000 passengers used the scheduled services, representing an increase of 12.8%.

• Tourist air traffic will remain the most important pillar of the business in the future: with 280,000 passengers, this segment grew by 2.5% compared to the same period last year.

• The number of scheduled and tourist flights now stands at 2,973, an increase of 3.5%.

The airport's development is therefore in line with the national trend. This also applies to traffic development, with increasing European and decreasing domestic German frequencies. In terms of the recovery rate, i.e., the ratio of the last pre-coronavirus year to the current year, SCN is actually slightly above the German average of just under 80% with almost 85% in terms of passenger numbers.

Passenger numbers are expected to grow to over 345,000 in 2024.

"The airport must be structurally positioned for the coming years in such a way that it can permanently fulfill its role as part of the transport infrastructure and connect Saarland to economic and tourist centers in Germany and abroad. In this way, it contributes to growth and employment in Saarland as a center for business, science, and tourism. A solid economic basis with a balanced operating result and forward-looking investments in the potential of the location are crucial for this," explains Managing Director Thomas Schuck.

Managing directors Gindorf-Wagner and Schuck provided detailed explanations of the measures the airport will take to achieve a balanced operating result by the end of the European Union's notification period in 2027. The airport will only receive state aid for the amounts necessary to offset operating losses. The security costs for the fire department, passenger and baggage screening, federal police, etc. – just under €1.6 million in 2023 – were not taken into account. This is because these are sovereign activities that SCN performs on behalf of the state and are compensated for in the course of cost reimbursement.

Measures that are planned or have already been partially implemented as part of the process of securing the future of the business affect infrastructure, passengers, employees, and commercial partners alike:

• Numerous investments in security (e.g., concrete elements at critical points, enhanced video surveillance), technology (e.g., completely renovated runway strips and approach masts, modern lighting), and energy management (e.g., expansion of the local heating network, acquisition of PV systems on the southern side) ensure that the airport is well positioned for future developments.

• A new, service-oriented website with an app offers booking options for flights, trips, hotels, and rental cars, as well as assistance with current questions.

• The SCN is to be developed into an event venue, with conference rooms and event spaces available for booking by interested parties. The spectrum ranges from workshops and after-work parties to cultural events and guided tours. Initial measures are to begin this year.

• Cooperation with existing partners such as the German Armed Forces (207 flight movements in 2023) or local maintenance and repair companies.

• Another focus will be the further expansion of the airport as an attractive employer. 

Due to its age structure, the airport's workforce is currently undergoing a generational change. A shortage of skilled workers, demographic change, competition from other large companies in the region, and—due to its role in the security chain—specific technical requirements all make it difficult to find suitable personnel. In order to retain employees and attract new ones, we offer a wide range of attractive benefits, from flexible working time models and further training measures to numerous perks as part of our occupational health management program. In this way, we want to remain one of the top employers in the region in the future," emphasizes Managing Director Gindorf-Wagner.