• German government grants Emirates permission to offer long-distance services from a fifth airport in Germany, sparking outrage from aviation industry representatives.
• UAE announces €40 billion in investments in Germany during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan's first-ever state visit to Berlin.
• BDF association criticizes decision as "a sell-off of German jobs" while local politicians welcome the move for economic development.

Aviation industry representatives reacted with outrage on Friday after learning that the German government had granted UAE airline Emirates permission to offer long-distance services from a fifth German airport.

The announcement was made on the first day of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan's visit to Berlin on Thursday, which marks the first-ever state visit by a president of the United Arab Emirates to Germany.

Both sides plan to significantly expand cooperation, with the UAE announcing an additional €40 billion in investments in Germany.

As part of the plans, the German government has agreed that, in future, Emirates will be permitted to operate flights to a fifth airport in Germany - in addition to its four existing destinations of Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt and Hamburg - with an agreed number of connections.

The government did not name the capital, but Emirates has long sought access to Berlin's airport.

The BDF association, which represents the interests of German airlines, on Friday slammed the plans as "a sell-off of German jobs and another blow to our companies."

"We are appalled at how little consideration was given to the interests of German airlines and the employees of our companies in this decision," said Michael Engel, BDF managing director, in a statement.

The Verdi trade union said the decision was irresponsible and would come "at the expense of domestic jobs, value creation and part of our critical infrastructure."

Local politicians, on the other hand, have welcomed the step, with Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner describing it as good for economic development.

Emirates would not be the only airline to offer flights from Berlin to the UAE, with Condor and Eurowings operating direct flights to Dubai from the end of October.