Germany’s major international airports experienced a significant surge in passenger traffic during the April-October 2025 summer flight schedule, with approximately 68.5 million passengers embarking on journeys abroad. This represents a 4.6% increase, or 3 million travelers, compared to the previous year, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). While indicative of a rebounding travel sector post-pandemic, the figure still lags behind the record levels of 2019 by 2.8%, highlighting ongoing structural shifts in travel patterns.
The recovery is unevenly distributed. Domestic air travel suffered a decline of 0.7%, or roughly 37,000 passengers, illustrating a continued trend of travelers opting for international destinations over internal flights within Germany. The stark contrast – a 54.9% drop in domestic air travel compared to the pre-pandemic summer of 2019 – raises questions regarding the sustainability of regional connectivity and the potential impacts on smaller German airports reliant on domestic routes. Overall air traffic, encompassing both international and domestic travel, saw a comparatively modest increase of 4.2% year-on-year, staying 10.2% below 2019 levels.
Geographically, Spain remains the dominant destination for German travelers, with 10.5 million passengers choosing the country, showing a slight uptick from both 2024 and 2019. However, the striking growth lies in travel to Turkey, with an impressive 7.8% increase compared to 2024 and a staggering 33.7% jump from 2019. This disproportionate rise warrants further investigation, potentially reflecting evolving geopolitical considerations and shifting tourism preferences. Italy and Greece also registered substantial growth, outpacing both previous years and suggesting a broader shift towards southern European destinations.
The intercontinental travel landscape reveals a more complex picture. While the United States retains its position as the most popular destination outside Europe, passenger numbers declined by 1.4% year-on-year and 3.6% compared to 2019, potentially indicating a recalibration of travel patterns related to economic factors and changing international relations. Egypt, meanwhile, showed a robust 12.3% increase year-on-year and a 15.0% rise compared to 2019, suggesting that alternative, more affordable destinations are gaining traction among German travelers.
The data prompts a critical examination of Germany’s aviation policy. The resilience of Turkish and Greek tourism, contrasted with the ongoing struggle of domestic air travel and the slower recovery of US-bound journeys, suggests a market increasingly influenced by price sensitivity and geopolitical factors. The continued dependence on international destinations also necessitates a review of Germany’s environmental impact assessment related to aviation and the potential need for more robust carbon offset programs and infrastructure investment to support sustainable travel options.