Hamburg Airport presented Wednesday (March 29, 2023) its balance sheet for 2022 and a lower-than-expected loss of EUR 27.2 million previously estimated at EUR 41 million. Rising demand last year allowed the airport to increase turnover by 68 per cent to EUR 87.8 million despite the pandemic and the energy crisis. The airport now plans to invest EUR 250 million in its “Net Zero 2035” target.
Hamburg Airport remained in the red for the third consecutive year, but managed to increase turnover in 2022. Revenue increased by around 68 per cent over 2021 to EUR 216.7 million. At the same time, total assets fell by around 11 per cent to EUR 715.3 million. Fewer liabilities and the repayment of loans were the main reasons for this, the airport said. Contrary to plans, a "black zero" is unlikely to be achieved this year due to rising costs.
"After the end of coronavirus restrictions, demand rose so strongly and sharply last year that the number of passengers doubled compared to 2021. Now our top priority is to return to profitability as quickly as possible," said Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport. The airport is now planning extensive investments in CO2-neutral operations. "Our major climate and investment scheme 'Net Zero 2035' is the next consistent step in our climate strategy," he added. Around EUR 70 million will be invested in building an airport-owned wind farm.
Over the next twelve years, Hamburg Airport will gradually convert operations to renewable energy sources and manage without fossil fuels from 2035. Four measures have been put in place to achieve "Net Zero 2035". The heat supply will be switched to climate-friendly district heating, biogas or deep geothermal energy. The airport's entire vehicle fleet will be converted to zero-emission electric and hydrogen drives. The plans also foresee building a wind energy park on an airport-owned site with photovoltaic systems in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region. This should ensure a sustainable supply of energy and optimum operating facilites for greater energy efficiency.
Passenger demand is expected to rise this year to around 13.8 million with more than 350,000 weekly travellers in July. Technical solutions such as bookable time slots for security checks and a minute-by-minute display of waiting times on the airport's website should help meet demand. Hamburg Airport is also involved in the Hydrogen Aviation Lab which is incentivizing the development of hydrogen-based aircraft engines. Tests of hydrogen infrastructure for ground maintenance will be carried out at Hamburg Airport.
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