Under Angela Merkel’s chancellorship, Germany has sought to deploy a more robust industry policy. But a battle over the domination of German airways has landed Berlin with a dilemma that could become a case study in the contradictions of economic patriotism.

The problem arose in November last year, when Emirates Airlines, the Dubai-owned operator, asked the German government for permission to operate long-haul flights out of Berlin’s BBI airport, now under construction and scheduled to open in 2011.