Kassel Airport, despite having a status similar to Frankfurt Airport, suffers from a lack of passengers leading to substantial government subsidies. In 2018, the airport recorded a maximum of 132,000 passengers, a stark contrast to the 240,000 seen by Frankfurt on a busy day. This discrepancy raises serious concerns about the airport’s financial sustainability and the efficacy of continued governmental support.

The continued decline in passenger numbers has made the situation increasingly urgent, prompting political action, particularly from the Green Party, which is advocating for an independent assessment of the airport's future viability. This call aligns with the need to reassess the investment of taxpayer money into an operation that has not fulfilled its potential in terms of passenger traffic. The discussion reflects a broader debate about the financial effectiveness of regional airports in Germany, especially in light of changing travel patterns and economic challenges.

Critics have pointed out that the need for an audit is overdue, with questions being raised about why such evaluations were not conducted during previous periods of political responsibility. The situation at Kassel Airport may serve as a case study for other regional airports facing similar struggles, highlighting the complexity of balancing public investment with economic viability in transportation infrastructure.