Germany’s aviation sector is facing major challenges, as high operational costs push Ryanair to reduce its flights, while other European countries like Sweden, Hungary, and Poland experience strong growth due to lower fees.
Germany’s Aviation Market Struggles to Recover
Ryanair, Europe’s largest budget airline, has revealed that Germany’s aviation market is still lagging behind other European countries. According to the latest report for January, air traffic in Germany is currently at only 77% of pre-pandemic levels, making it the weakest aviation sector in Europe. The airline attributes this decline to the country’s high operational costs, which include taxes, air traffic control fees, security charges, and airport levies.
High-Cost Airports Hit Hard
Airports with high fees, such as Dresden, Leipzig, and Hamburg, have been severely impacted by the cost burden. These airports have seen a sharp decline in passenger numbers, leading Ryanair to cut its operations at these locations for the summer 2025 schedule. This has resulted in some of the lowest traffic figures in January, further emphasizing the negative effects of Germany’s expensive aviation environment.
Government Inaction Stalls Recovery
The German government’s failure to address the rising costs in the aviation sector has slowed down recovery and limited potential growth. On the other hand, countries like Sweden, Hungary, and Poland have acted by reducing operational costs and removing air travel taxes, which has allowed their aviation markets to recover much faster.
Regional Airports Show Promise
Despite Germany’s overall struggles, Ryanair has found some success at regional airports where lower fees make for a more favorable environment. While larger airports continue to face reduced passenger numbers, these regional hubs represent a possible area for growth, provided cost reductions are applied throughout the industry.
Ryanair CEO Criticizes High Costs in Germany
Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson shared his concerns about the state of Germany’s aviation market, stating, “Ryanair’s German traffic update for January shows that the German aviation market is collapsing, particularly at airports where Ryanair has cancelled flights for summer 2025. Air traffic in Germany dropped to only 77% of pre-Covid levels, mainly due to the high access costs.”
Wilson added that while Germany’s aviation industry struggles, other EU countries are growing by cutting taxes and fees, which has helped increase traffic and tourism. He called on the German government to reduce its high costs in order to allow German airports to become more competitive.
“It’s time for this ineffective government to remove its high taxes and fees to give German airports a chance at growth. While Germany falls behind, the rest of Europe is thriving by cutting costs and boosting air travel.”
Related topics:
- New Travel Regulations in Spain, Greece, and Portugal: How Will They Affect British Tourists?
- Britons Warned of New Travel Checks and Fees for Popular Destinations
- KING’s Hotels Munich Sets the Standard for Hospitality Excellence in Germany
