German air traffic continues to recover from the collapse caused by the health crisis. But it has to be said that the recovery in traffic to Europe's "economic engine" is more mixed than elsewhere. According to the ADV (Association of German Airports/Arbeitsgemeinschaft Deutsche Verkehrsflughäfen), from January to July 2023, the number of passengers reached 108.34 million. This represents an increase of 25.1% compared with the same period in 2022.
Among Germany's major airports, the rebound particularly benefited Frankfurt, up 27.3%, Hamburg (+26.7%), Stuttgart (+25.9%) and Munich (+25%). Berlin, on the other hand, did worse than average at +19.2%. The capital's airport nevertheless confirmed its position as Germany's third busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers.
But if we take a closer look at the figures by cluster, passenger traffic remains well below 2019 levels.
Passenger numbers on domestic routes have plummeted. With 12.9 million passengers between January and July, it is 53% lower than in 2019. For European traffic, ADV recorded 74.1 million passengers over 7 months.. Although this figure is 20% higher than in 2022, it remains still 18.5% lower than the same period in 2019. Only the intercontinental traffic fills the gap more quickly with 2019. It is now only 15% below the pre-Covid figures. with 21.1 million passengers.
11% fewer international passengers since 2017
In fact, the ADV notes international passengers turning away from German airports. According to a survey of 100,000 passengers carried out in 2022 at the association's 21 airports, the ADV has identified a drop in the number of foreign travellers choosing Germany as their destination.
According to the association, until the Covid crisis, the proportion of passengers visiting Germany by air was growing steadily. Aoday, just over one in 5 passengers at German airports is a foreigner. If we compare the years 2022 and 2017, this represents a fall of 11%. Let a market share of 23% on the total volume of air travellers.
For Ralph Beisel, Managing Director of ADV, " The sharp fall in the number of foreign passengers illustrates the problem facing German air transport. The main cause is the insufficient supply of airlines operating point-to-point routes in Europe.. Low-cost airlines avoid GermanyThis negative trend reinforces our call for the federal government to cap the costs of air safety and air navigation services. This negative trend reinforces our call for the federal government to cap the costs of air safety and air navigation charges. In no country in Europe have regulatory taxes and charges risen as sharply as in Germany" he explains.
A reduced offer from Paris, for example
There has been a sharp reduction in services from Paris for example. From Roissy, 8 German cities are served. While 3 cities across the Rhine are served from Orly. Air France dominates the Paris-Germany route with flights to 8 destinations. However, the airline has ceased services to Bremen and Leipzig, two important business destinations.
On the other hand Lufthansa and its subsidiary Eurowings that supply has shrunk considerably. The two carriers connect CDG only to Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. The German airline also operates two daily flights to Orly-Munich.
As for low-costthey are effectively in the minority on the Paris-Germany market. Easyjet and Transavia fly to Berlin from Orly and/or CDG. Vueling now only serves Orly-Hamburg after suspending its services to Leipzig and Nuremberg this spring.
" A reduction in costs would make a significant contribution to making Germany once again more attractive to foreign airlines, businesses and tourists." says Ralph Beisel.
