Number of domestic flights low
International air traffic approaches pre-crisis levels
24.06.2024, 13:52
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In May, German airports are used more than in the same month last year. According to experts, the fact that the total number of flights is still below the pre-coronavirus level is almost entirely due to the weak demand for domestic flights. There is one main reason for this.
The Whitsun holidays have boosted demand for air travel to and from Germany. In May, 19.7 million passengers used German airports, according to industry association ADV. That was ten percent more than in the same month last year, but also 12.1 percent less than in May 2019, the last year before the coronavirus pandemic, which led to a sharp decline in air traffic.
International traffic in May almost returned to pre-crisis levels. The almost 14.2 million passengers in European traffic represented almost 97 percent of the figure from five years ago. 3.4 million passengers traveled intercontinentally, a good 99 percent compared to May 2019. The significantly restricted domestic German air traffic was therefore almost solely responsible for the decline in the total number.
2.1 million domestic German passengers corresponded to less than half (48.4 percent) of the number from the pre-Corona spring of 2019. German airports attribute the weak demand compared to Europe to the high government-influenced costs. The air traffic tax and air security costs, which were increased again in May, meant that many airlines were no longer willing to fly to and from Germany.
These costs are particularly significant on short domestic flights. The ADV also complains about a lack of competition on domestic routes, which are mainly served by the Lufthansa Group, while other providers have withdrawn.