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The presidency of the Federal Association of German Aviation (BDL) has elected Lars Redeligx as the new president. He succeeds Jens Bischof, whose term has ended as scheduled. Redeligx, who has been the chairman of the management board of Düsseldorf Airport since January 2023, will represent the interests of the association at a time when the industry faces significant challenges.
Focus on competitiveness and climate protection
In his first statement, Redeligx emphasized the need to strengthen the competitiveness of Germany as an aviation location. He described the reversal of the increase in the air traffic tax as a positive first step, but one that can only be the beginning. “German airlines and airports must reconnect with the strong growth of air traffic in the rest of Europe,” said Redeligx. To achieve this, he calls for a halving of state location costs as well as a reduction in bureaucracy and overregulation.
Redeligx pointed out that excessive regulatory requirements, also known as “gold-plating,” weaken Germany as a location. “A strong, competitive aviation sector is not an option for the export nation Germany and our globally connected society, but a necessity,” Redeligx continued. He sees the potential to eliminate structural location disadvantages if air traffic is viewed as an opportunity for participation and success in a connected world.
Another central point in Redeligx’s agenda is sustainability. He emphasized that the industry wants to continue on the path to reducing emissions. “We need realistic targets and a significant increase in the production of sustainable fuels,” he stated regarding the upcoming review process for the EU climate package “Fit for 55.” Redeligx warned that without appropriate measures, emissions would merely be shifted to other regions, which could lead to a loss of value creation in Europe.
Appreciation of predecessors and outlook
Jens Bischof, the outgoing president, congratulated Redeligx on his election and highlighted the importance of strong representation of interests in Germany and Europe. Bischof significantly contributed during his term to initiating a turnaround in the political framework conditions for Germany as an aviation location. Under his leadership, numerous measures to reduce competitive disadvantages were implemented.
The BDL presidency thanked Bischof for his commitment over the past two years. Since 2016, the office of BDL president has rotated every two years among the member groups in the association. Redeligx is the sixth president in this series, which began with Klaus-Peter Siegloch.
The BDL represents the common interests of the German aviation industry, which includes airlines, airports, the German air navigation service, and other service providers. The industry enables mobility for around 260 million passengers annually and plays a crucial role in international goods transport.
