German airports handled a total of 2025 million passengers in the first half of 99,4, a decline of 15,8 percent compared to the pre-crisis level of 2019. According to the Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry (BDL) significantly to 2,8 percent, compared to ten percent in the previous year. BDL President Jen Bishop blames this primarily on high government-imposed costs. These will rise by around €1,1 billion this year to a total of €4,4 billion, which will impair the location's competitiveness.
According to the BDL, the high costs are leading airlines to withdraw their fleets from Germany and relocate them to countries where operating conditions are more favorable. Since 2019, the number of aircraft stationed in Germany by European point-to-point airlines has fallen from 190 to 130. The BDL estimates that this has resulted in the loss of more than 10.000 jobs and over four billion euros in economic output. The reduced international connections are also having a negative impact on tourism, the hospitality industry, and the German economy.
The range of flight connections and frequencies is also shrinking. The number of flights between Germany and other European countries is still 20 percent below the 2019 level. Domestic air traffic is stagnating at just 49 percent of its pre-crisis level. Bischof pointed out that government costs are doubled for domestic flights, further complicating economic operations. The Federation of German Airlines (BDL) is calling for relief to strengthen the location and proposes halving the government burden per passenger from the current €35 to approximately €17. According to Bischof, a reversal of the recent increase in the air traffic tax would have sent a positive signal.
Despite the high demand for air travel across Europe, the German Association of German Airlines (BDL) does not see a turnaround for the upcoming winter flight schedule. Flight capacity from Germany is expected to reach only 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, while other European countries could reach 116 percent. The high cost of operating in Germany is therefore a key factor in why airlines are avoiding the country.