Aviation Berne Airport makes a profit

Bern Airport Ltd made a profit of CHF 143,000 last year. This is the second positive result in a row after previously difficult years.

The airport recorded an increase of 24 percent in scheduled and charter flights, as announced by Flughafen Bern AG on Friday. Operating costs remained under control in 2023 despite inflation, high energy prices and full compensation for inflation, the press release continued.

With the introduction of the southern approach planned for March 2025, "the Bern system will become more robust". Until now, an instrument approach from the south has not been possible, which is why airlines have rejected operations in Bern. Year-round operations will bring stability and generate important additional revenue, the statement continued. The southern approach would also relieve the communities to the north and east of the airport.

Nevertheless, the company expects new challenges for the current and coming financial year. For example, the loss of the contribution to security costs financed by the earmarked aviation fuel tax will have to be compensated for.

Migros' decision to sell the Hotelplan Group is also a source of uncertainty. Hotelplan has been the most important travel provider for flights from Bern-Belp for years, and a reduction in services would have major consequences for the airport.

Bern Airport returned to profit in 2022, having previously posted high losses for four years, partly due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One of the airport's major future projects is the BelpmoosSolar ground-mounted solar power plant. Flughafen Bern AG wants to realize the project together with BKW Energie AG and Energie Wasser Bern. The Natur-Belpmoos association is against the project and in favor of protecting the large meadow on the airport site.