Slow Recovery of German Air Travel: Domestic Flights at Half of Pre-COVID Levels

The German aviation sector is gradually seeing an increase in passenger numbers, yet remains significantly below pre-pandemic figures. The latest data from the Federal Statistical Office reveals stark differences in passenger traffic between domestic and international flights.

In 2024, the 22 main airports in Germany reported approximately 199.5 million passengers, marking a 7.7% rise compared to 2023. However, this number is still 12.0% lower than the record high of 226.7 million passengers recorded in 2019. The recovery trend is evident, yet considerably hampered in the domestic air travel sector.

International air traffic experienced a more robust recovery, with passenger numbers increasing by 8% to reach 173.7 million in 2024, bringing it to just 7.8% below the pre-COVID levels. In contrast, domestic flight statistics showed a modest rise of only 3.7%, resulting in 11.9 million passengers, nearly half (48.5%) of the figures from 2019.

This trend reflects a persistent pattern observed over the past few years, where international travel has outpaced domestic flight recovery. The data indicates that both domestic and international passenger counts plummeted by around 75% during the initial year of the pandemic in 2020. Since then, the domestic sector has struggled to regain its footing.

Interestingly, while passenger volumes have not fully rebounded, air freight transport has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels. In 2024, the air freight volume at major airports reached 4.7 million tons, representing an increase of 2.1% from 2023 and a mere 0.2% drop compared to 2019.

One contributing factor to the slow recovery of domestic air travel is the decline in business travel. Many corporate travelers have turned to trains or virtual meetings instead of flying for short trips. Additionally, the reduction in flight options has led to decreased competition, resulting in higher ticket prices.

Overall, while there are positive signs of recovery in the German aviation industry, the domestic market faces substantial challenges in regaining its pre-pandemic passenger levels.