In March 2022, more passengers could be counted at the airports again. Compared to the pre-crisis level, however, at -51,1 percent, almost half of the travelers from 2019 were still missing.

9,4 million passengers used German airports. Compared to March 2021, the volume is significantly higher (+377,8 percent). The cargo volume remains stable at a high level: 453.588 tons mean 4,3 percent less than in the previous year, but an increase can be seen compared to 2019 (+3,0 percent). With 120.969 take-offs and landings, the number of commercial flight movements was more than twice as high as in March 2021 (+123,0 percent); compared to 2019, more than two-thirds of all commercial flights were carried out again at -32,8 percent. 

“In March, the volume increased in all traffic segments compared to the previous months. The elimination of corona restrictions and easier entry regulations stimulated passenger demand. In some market areas, more than half of the travelers could be welcomed again. A comparison with the previous year in particular shows that air traffic is growing significantly again. The lack of transport services to Russia and Ukraine is not statistically significant, since the market demand was already at a very low level due to the pandemic.

Cargo volumes continue to increase, but cannot keep up with the dynamics of the previous year

Air freight demand was also at a high level in March, but lost momentum. Compared to February, the volume increased by almost 50.000t to 453.588t. Compared to the strong dynamic of the previous year, this corresponds to a change rate of -4,3 percent.

The Russia-Ukraine war is having an impact on air freight development: the airspace closures over Russia for German and EU carriers are still preventing growth. The Siberia routes are the shortest way to the important cargo markets in Japan, South Korea and China. Invitations fell by -4,2 percent to 237.437t (compared to 2019 +4,9 percent). The outreach also decreased by -4,4 percent to 216.151t (compared to 2019 +0,9 percent). In the cumulative analysis of the first quarter of 2022, the cargo volume developed positively with +0,7 percent and 1.283.758t.