BARIG Kicks Off 2026 with Strong Industry Networking: New Year’s Event Marks the Start of the 75th Jubilee Year

TRANSPORTATION

  • Association provides important platform for the aviation industry
  • High-level exchange for a strong air transport sector

This week, around 150 managers and senior executives from the national and international aviation industry met at the Hilton Frankfurt Airport Hotel for the New Year’s Event 2026 jointly organized by BARIG (Board of Airline Representatives in Germany e.V.) and AOC FRA (Airline Operators Committee Frankfurt). Delegates from airlines, airport operators, state politics, federal police, customs, authorities, and service providers used the evening to exchange ideas and discuss the challenges of 2026.

“This New Year’s event marked the start of a special year for us: BARIG’s 75th jubilee. Since 1951, we have been representing the interests of the airlines towards politicians, airports, and authorities, and supporting collaborative cooperation among all relevant stakeholders,” explained Michael Hoppe, BARIG Chairman and Executive Director. “The great response to our event underlines again how important collaboration, mutual understanding, and joint action are to maintain Germany’s position as a strong aviation location. We are looking forward to further activities throughout this jubilee year.”

“Frankfurt is a complex airport in terms of operations,” mentioned Klaus Marx, Chairman of the AOC FRA. “Close coordination between airlines, airports, authorities, and service providers is crucial to strengthening quality and stability. Events like this create the mutual understanding we need for future improvements.”

Inspiring perspectives from representatives of politics and infrastructure

Kaweh Mansoori, Deputy Prime Minister and Hessian Minister of Economics, Energy, Transport, Housing, and Rural Areas, emphasized in his speech the great importance of air transport for Hesse and beyond: “Frankfurt Airport is an international hub, a key economic driver, a decisive competitive factor, and, last but not least, a place where different nations and cultures come together – for Hesse and for Germany as a whole. Nevertheless, economic competitiveness remains a core task at this location, too. For this reason, I have advocated for a reduction in air traffic tax as a first step. It is important that we now stay on track. Further relief measures and efficiency improvements are planned – in air traffic control fees, aviation security, customs processes, and through greater digitalization in air freight. Here, again, the speed of implementation is what counts in the end. We clearly stand alongside the airport and the airlines in this regard.”

Aletta von Massenbach, CEO Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH and President of the German Airports Association ADV, pointed out: “Our industry is facing major transformations such as digitalization, operational stability, and sustainability. However, these important issues can only be jointly addressed. The New Year’s Event hosted by BARIG and AOC FRA impressively demonstrated the strength of our networks and the willingness of all stakeholders to embrace change. We want to build on this together with our partners from various fields of the industry. We are already looking forward to our joint Pre-ITB BARIG Networking & Conference Day in Berlin.”

Dr. Pierre Dominique Prümm, Member of the Executive Board and CTO of Fraport AG as well as Chairman of the Presidium of the German Transport Forum (DVF), stated: “Operational efficiency arises where communication and cooperation function effectively. This also applies to Frankfurt as an air transport location. We must and want to work together to further develop infrastructure in aviation, both in the passenger and air freight sectors. Current competitive disadvantages compared to other European countries must be eliminated, regulations optimized, and operational processes improved jointly and in a targeted manner.”

BARIG: 75 years of international aviation perspectives in Germany

For the BARIG community, the New Year’s Event meant more than just the start of 2026: it also marked the beginning of the 75th jubilee year. Since 1951, the airline association has developed dynamically. With expertise and flexibility, it continuously and consistently represents the interests of its member airlines operating to and from Germany and gives them a strong international voice. BARIG advocates for fair framework conditions, cost efficiency, process optimization as well as a demand-oriented and modern infrastructure towards politicians, airports, authorities, and other stakeholders. The aim is to foster the global competitiveness of Germany as an aviation location.

Further current BARIG topics and news on aviation are available at www.barig.aero/en/news