The airport association ADV published the fact check "Where is Germany flying to?"

ADV General Manager Ralph Beisel explains briefly: “Air traffic makes a significant contribution to the international networking of our country. The demand from travelers is concentrated on destinations over 400 kilometers. Our turnstiles are the gates to the big world. And over short distances, we rely on close networking with the railways ”.

On which routes does air traffic actually take place?

Many debates on air travel are narrowed down to short-haul flights. It is all the more important to know which routes are actually requested by travelers and how air traffic makes its indispensable contribution to business and private travelers with the connectivity offered. In the fact check on the route network, the airport association ADV shows the most popular travel destinations for Germans in the period from 2011 to 2019.

Minus 5,7 percent decrease in domestic German air traffic

Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Düsseldorf are the top 5 destinations in Germany. 3 out of 4 domestic German passengers fly to one of the top 5 destinations mentioned. Overall, domestic German air traffic is by far the smallest segment in the overall system. The improved intermodal offers and the close cooperation between rail and air transport promote this modal transfer.

Two thirds of all passengers fly up to 1.500 kilometers

Mallorca, London, Vienna, Zurich and Amsterdam are the top 5 connections from a German airport. Contrary to popular belief, the demand for short flight connections is falling. On routes between 400 and 1.500 kilometers, the number of travelers rose by 23,3 percent. At the same time, the number of passengers below 400 kilometers fell by -3,7 percent. In 2011 took off or landed at German airports with destinations of less than 1.500 kilometers with 128,8 passengers on board. In 2019 there were 153,1 million passengers.

Europe is the top destination: Mallorca in first place, Madrid in 1th place among the top European destinations

With almost two thirds (63,7 percent) of the passenger volume, the demand for European destinations is the largest market segment at German airports. Between 2011 and 2019, the demand to European destinations increased by +36,2 percent. European air transport is the lubricant of our country's economic and socio-cultural ties. The EU enlargement, ethnic traffic to Eastern and Southern Europe, labor migration and the persistently high demand for tourism are the main drivers for the strong demand from travelers in European traffic.

Increasing demand for intercontinental air transport connections

The long haul is to the global economic centers and long-distance tourist destinations. Among the intercontinental top 10 destinations are Hurghada and Tel Aviv, in addition to the Asian metropolises Dubai, Singapore and Beijing, as well as the North American cities of New York, Toronto and Chicago. Between 2011 and 2019, the number of passengers to intercontinental destinations at German airports grew by +26,5 percent - that's more than 9,2 million passengers (arriving + departing).

“The connectivity that comes from the airports ensures prosperity in the regions and is a prerequisite for a networked economy while at the same time taking responsibility for climate protection. Air traffic is not yet climate-neutral, but the industry is working on it - despite the massive economic cuts caused by the corona pandemic - and has set its goals in the "Master Plan Climate Protection", "explains Ralph Beisel in conclusion.