Lausitzring Red Bull Airport

Change of ownership and site repurposing. The Lausitzring complex was sold to the vehicle inspection and certification company DEKRA. DEKRA's primary goal was to transform the site into a comprehensive innovation and testing center for automotive technology, particularly for automated and connected driving. The operation of a public-use airfield was not part of this new business model, leading to its official closure and de-licensing.

The site is now the DEKRA Technology Center at the Lausitzring. While the physical asphalt of the former runway and taxiways still exists, it is no longer an airport. The paved surfaces have been fully repurposed and integrated into the vast automotive test track complex. They are now used for a wide range of vehicle tests, including braking performance, autonomous driving scenarios, wet handling, and vehicle dynamics validation. All specific aviation infrastructure (e.g., markings, windsock, communication equipment) has been removed, and the area is exclusively used for automotive R&D.

The airfield, officially the 'Sonderlandeplatz Lausitzring', was an integral component of the EuroSpeedway Lausitz motorsport facility, which opened in 2000. The entire complex was a significant redevelopment project built on the site of a former open-cast lignite mine. The airfield's primary function was logistical support for the racetrack. It handled a mix of general aviation traffic, private charter flights transporting racing teams, officials, and VIPs, as well as extensive helicopter operations for medical and media purposes during race events. The airfield gained significant international recognition as a host venue for the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, making it a notable location for both motorsport and high-profile aerobatic competitions.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the facility as an airport. The owner, DEKRA, has invested significantly in its conversion into a strategic, long-term automotive testing center. The infrastructure has been fundamentally altered for this purpose, making a return to aviation operations highly improbable.