Airlines have cut routes and reduced flights at German airports amid high taxes, fees and fuel costs, leaving the country’s aviation recovery behind much of Europe. The German Aviation Association (BDL) says the number of routes has fallen from around 1,700 in 2019 to just over 1,500 today, with remaining services operating less frequently.
The BDL estimates that roughly one in five routes has disappeared since 2019. In the first half of 2026, seat capacity stood at 85% of its pre-pandemic level, placing Germany 28th among 31 European countries. Industry expert Cord Schellenberg told ARD that fewer flights mean less choice for business travelers and fewer destinations overall.
Domestic routes have also faced competition from rail. Data from the German Tourism Industry Association show that substantially more business travelers use trains than planes. Schellenberg said airlines rely on corporate customers, who often pay higher fares, because leisure travelers tend to book earlier and at lower prices.
Ryanair has reduced its seat capacity at German airports by 10% in its winter schedule compared with the previous year. The airline is cutting half of its flights in Berlin and plans to stop operating from Bremen next summer. Ryanair previously carried around 400,000 passengers a year from Bremen, and the departure has raised concerns about businesses and jobs linked to the airport. Schellenberg said other airlines might be attracted to the location but would not replace the range of routes Ryanair offered.
Persistently high fuel prices are adding pressure. Ryanair has reported a decline in profit and is considering holding back pay increases and reducing crew numbers, while planning further fare rises. Lufthansa has reported stable demand but expects ticket prices to increase by double digits next year as it seeks to offset costs. Higher fares, along with stronger maintenance and cargo business, helped lift its earnings in the third quarter, but the airline again lowered its profit target for the year.
The BDL is calling for further cuts to Germany’s air travel tax, which lawmakers voted to reduce in the summer. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also signaled openness to the issue, saying Germany does not benefit if air traffic shifts to airports in other countries. Consultant Gerald Wissel, meanwhile, said airlines must also improve efficiency and reduce their own costs.
Sources: Tagesschau.