Government flights - Ministry: Baerbock flew the line three times as minister
The Foreign Office criticized Minister Annalena Baerbock for a short-distance flight back from Frankfurt after an EU football game. The discussion was sparked by her travel route following the implementation of night flight restrictions. A spokesperson stated on a Wednesday that it is always checked which is the best transportation method for the Foreign Minister. They also mentioned numbers: "In her capacity as Foreign Minister, she has flown commercially three times and traveled by train at least four times."
The government plane with Baerbock on board took off from Frankfurt Airport, according to a "Bild" newspaper report on June 23, shortly before midnight after the visit to the Germany-Switzerland EU football match. Night flight restrictions apply at Frankfurt Airport between 23:00 and 5:00. Delayed take-offs are possible until 0:00 for "flights in special public interest". The Greens have advocated for a climate-friendly and social transportation policy.
The Foreign Office spokesperson stated that Baerbock continued her trip to the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg the following morning, followed by a trip to the Near East. "It's just part of the nature of the job of a Foreign Minister - ten trips to the Near East in just the past few months - that many of these trips can only be carried out with the government aircraft," the spokesperson said. And: "Therefore, it was not a violation of rules but a normal continuation of the journey to Luxembourg within the legal framework and in accordance with the applicable regulations, which the government aircraft then carried out."
Baerbock reportedly used a backup plane ("Hot Spare") prepared for Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in Frankfurt. When asked about this, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry stated that the German military aircraft keeps a second plane ready for especially notable terms and important personalities. They added: "I have no knowledge of whether this was the case at the EU football championship."
- Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, faced criticism for a short-haul flight from Frankfurt to Luxembourg, following a EU football game.
- Despite travel restrictions at Berlin's Tegel Airport, the Berlin-Hamburg-Luxembourg short-haul flight is still an option for travelers.
- The Air Traffic Control in Frankfurt handled the departure of Baerbock's government plane, which sparked a debate on environments and short-haul flights.
- The Federal Government is under scrutiny for its air traffic policy, with the Greens calling for a more climate-friendly and social transportation policy.
- In Hesse, the traffic authority is considering stricter measures on night flights to reduce carbon emissions, particularly from Frankfurt Airport.
- The "Bild" newspaper in Berlin covered the controversy, highlighting the role of AA (Deutsche Lufthansa) in the discussion on short-haul flights and their environmental impact.
