This should be worked out by the end of the year, said Merkel on Wednesday at the event at Leipzig airport. “We want to approach things in a way that is open to the world of technology,” she said, pointing out that the “potential of hydrogen is far from being developed for aviation”.

In principle, according to Merkel, the Federal Government is focusing on efficiency and sustainability in aviation of the future. This is also evident in the so-called Leipzig Statement on the Future of the Industry, which was signed by representatives of politics, business and trade unions. Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier (CDU), among others, attended the conference, Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) and the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU).

Flying is the most climate-damaging way of getting around

According to the Federal Environment Agency, flying is the most climate-damaging way to travel; the industry is therefore on the defensive.

At the beginning of August, the Federal Association of the German Air Transport Industry (BDL) introduced a six-point program designed to greatly reduce CO2 emissions in air traffic.

According to this, the industry sees the greatest leverage in the further development of fuels for aircraft. which should greatly reduce CO2 emissions in air traffic. According to this, the industry sees the greatest leverage in the further development of fuels for aircraft. which should greatly reduce CO2 emissions in air traffic. According to this, the industry sees the greatest leverage in the further development of fuels for aircraft.