Tensions are rising over plans to expand traffic rights for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) airline in Germany, with the European Pilots Association (ECA) warning Berlin not to grant additional access unless it can guarantee specific terms to ensure fair competition. The dispute comes as the Germany-UAE Business Council calls on the German government to support daily direct Emirates flights between Dubai and Berlin, and between Dubai and Stuttgart, according to a document seen Scheme. The letter reportedly claims that the currently proposed limited frequencies “will not provide a viable basis for the establishment and sustainable operation of the route” and will not meet expected demand. Emirates confirms its commitment to launch daily flights to Berlin and Stuttgart, committing more than €100 million annually in operating costs, staff costs, airport taxes, fuel and other costs, subject to the approval of the German Federal Ministry of Transport. pic.twitter.com/EcaRpHhkfM – Dubai Press Office (@DXBMediaOffice), June 9, 2026 The ECA, which represents more than 44,000 European pilots, called on Berlin not to grant additional traffic rights, calling on the German government to protect the long-term interests of European aviation and Europe’s strategic autonomy. At stake is a long-standing dispute over traffic rights to German destinations for UAE airlines. Emirates currently flies to Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf and Hamburg and is looking to add Berlin and Stuttgart to its network. Germany’s transport ministry initially proposed two flights a week to Berlin, but the chancellery reportedly pushed for a broader agreement allowing six to seven flights a week to Berlin and Stuttgart following Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to the UAE in February last year. Hello Frankfurt! Emirates’ flagship @Airbus A380 has returned to Frankfurt Airport, offering passengers daily flights to and from @DXB throughout May. 📸 @Airport_FRA #FlyEmiratesFlyBetter pic.twitter.com/XXDytqgHXf — Emirates (@emirates) May 6, 2021 However, according to pilots, the problem goes far beyond individual rights to travel. They warn that giving UAE airlines greater access could permanently divert traffic between Europe and major international markets, with more passengers routed through hubs outside Europe. This will lead to direct losses in jobs, value creation and competitiveness. They argue that additional traffic rights should be suspended as long as serious differences in competitive conditions and social standards remain. “Competition is important, but it must be fair,” said ECA vice-president Captain Paul Reuter. Among the inequalities mentioned is the fact that following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European airlines are prohibited from flying over Russian airspace, making some routes longer and more expensive – especially after the rise in aviation fuel prices as a result of the war in the Middle East – while Emirates continues to use Russian airspace and can therefore operate more competitively on some Asian routes. ESA also mentioned the geopolitical aspect, noting that as Europe tries to fend off Russian military interventions, including drone incursions, into European territory, UAE airlines have expanded their services to Russia. This helped the country maintain international ties. However, the association is careful not to position itself as anti-competitive. In fact, he argues that effective competition is vital to the sector, but argues that all players should be subject to the same rules and standards. He also cautions against using this argument to protect established European airlines from competition, “especially when it comes at the expense of quality and service while ticket prices remain high.” For ESA, the dispute raises broader questions about European aviation policy: how to balance market liberalization and connectivity with social standards, geopolitical realities, climate regulation and Europe’s strategic autonomy. “The key issue is that Europe must be able to protect its own connectivity without becoming dependent on non-European nodes,” Reuter said. No agreement has yet been reached between Germany and the UAE. Lufthansa opposes the expansion of transport rights. Post navigation Alaska Airlines flight from Santa Ana to Seattle diverted to Fresno due to “mechanical problem” US strikes three Iranian tankers as African airlines face new jet fuel shock