Kassel Airport is once again facing challenges: The Turkish airline Corendon Airlines has announced that it will not continue its flights from Kassel to Antalya in the 2025 summer flight schedule. This step is a bitter blow for the already loss-making regional airport, which has been struggling with financial problems since it opened over a decade ago.
According to the airport, the airline's withdrawal is part of a strategic consolidation. Corendon is adjusting its offerings across Germany, which also affects other airports. The focus is on reducing capacity to ensure the stability of operations. Despite the high demand for flights to Antalya, Kassel Airport will therefore be without this important connection, which was originally supposed to be offered twice a week from April to October.
Financial burden and declining attractiveness
Kassel Airport's financial problems are exacerbated by such developments. As early as 2023, the airport recorded a deficit of around five million euros, which is mainly borne by the state of Hesse.
The loss of the only permanently stationed aircraft by the airline Sundair and the limited offer in the 2024/2025 winter flight schedule show that the airport is struggling to establish itself as an attractive location for airlines. In summer 2025, only a few regular connections will remain, for example to Bolzano in South Tyrol, as well as a few special trips.
Look for alternatives
The management of Kassel Airport is trying to close the gap that has arisen. Talks with other airlines are intended to enable new connections. Negotiations are also continuing with Corendon Airlines to potentially still be able to offer flights to Antalya. There are also ongoing negotiations for other destinations in summer 2025, the results of which are to be announced by December.
Corendon Airlines: Focus on strategic growth
Corendon Airlines has focused its business activities strongly on the DACH region and ethnic traffic. Despite the cancellation in Kassel, the airline plans to expand in other regions, including over 500 weekly connections in the 2025 peak season. The withdrawal from Kassel is part of a general realignment to make operations more efficient and stable.
In view of these developments, the future of Kassel Airport remains uncertain. The regional airport is in direct competition with other German airports, which makes it difficult to attract new airline partners. Without sustainable economic success, critical voices about the usefulness of the location could become louder.
The loss of Corendon Airlines poses considerable challenges for Kassel Airport. Whether the airport can survive in the long term depends crucially on whether it succeeds in creating attractive flight connections and economic stability.
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