- Domestic flight capacity in Germany is projected to reach only 42pc of pre-pandemic levels
- Overall seat capacity from, to and within Germany stands at 85pc of 2018-19 levels
- Total German departure capacity for winter is down 1.3pc year-on-year
- Capacity at Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin is shrinking this winter
- Government charges rose by €1.1bn in 2025 to reach €4.3bn
Domestic flight capacity in Germany is projected to reach only 42pc of pre-pandemic levels in the winter half-year according to the Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry. Overall seat capacity from, to and within Germany stands at 85pc of 2018-19 levels and is stagnating. Total German departure capacity for winter is down 1.3pc year-on-year to 47.95m seats, 88pc of 2019 levels.
Connections between regional airports outside major hubs have dropped by 82pc compared to 2019. Capacity at Germany’s three largest gateways is shrinking this winter: Frankfurt Airport is down 2.7pc to 14.72m seats, Munich Airport is down 2.4pc to 9.9m and Berlin Brandenburg Airport is down 1.7pc to 5.81m.
The BDL attributes the retreat to steep state-imposed location costs including air traffic control fees, security charges and aviation taxes. Government charges rose by €1.1bn in 2025 to reach €4.3bn, roughly double 2019 levels. Ryanair ceased basing aircraft in Berlin in October 2026, moving its seven jets to lower-cost markets and dropping 12 routes. Lufthansa and Eurowings have trimmed internal connections.
