German air traffic remains 9 percent below pre-Covid levels

Germany

Ryanair highlights Dresden, Berlin and Leipzig as biggest losers due to excessive access costs and airport charges

Ryanair, Europe’s No. 1 airline, today released its German traffic update for August, confirming that Germany remains the weakest performing aviation market in Europe. The main reason: extremely high access costs, including the excessive air travel tax, air traffic control and security charges, and high airport fees. Costly airports such as Dresden (–62%), Berlin (–72%), and Leipzig (–77%) continue to underperform far below pre-crisis levels.

Recovery held back by high taxes and fees

The continued failure of the new federal government to implement the promised reduction in access costs is stalling recovery and growth. Unlike countries such as Ireland, Hungary, Poland, and Italy – which reduced fees and scrapped air travel taxes to stimulate post-Covid growth – Germany’s air traffic remains 9% below pre-Covid levels.

Call for urgent government action

Ryanair is once again urging the German government to reform the struggling aviation system by abolishing the damaging air travel tax and lowering ATC and security charges. Only then will airlines be encouraged to invest, helping to revive Germany’s economy, tourism, and connectivity.

Traffic recovery 2025 vs. 2019

Country	Recovery	State taxes
Ireland	108%	€0
Hungary	109%	€0
Poland	124%	€0
Germany	91%	€15.53

Statement from Ryanair

“Our August traffic figures confirm that German aviation is in free fall, far below pre-Covid levels, especially at high-cost airports such as Dresden, Berlin, and Leipzig, where Ryanair has already cut flights for summer 2025,” said Dara Brady, Chief Marketing Officer at Ryanair. “Unless the German government takes action now, Ryanair will be forced to reduce winter 2025 capacity further, which will weaken connectivity and slow the recovery of German tourism even more.”