Ryanair will add Lübeck as a new airport location in Germany from summer 2025. At the same time, Ryanair is reducing capacity at cost-intensive airports such as Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden and Dortmund. The low-cost airline is returning to Lübeck after many years of absence.
From summer 2025, Ryanair plans to launch three new routes from Lübeck to London, Malaga and Mallorca. These connections are expected to attract around 82.500 passengers annually and support around 60 indirect jobs at the site. Marcel Pouchain Meyer, Country Manager and Head of Communications for Germany, Austria and Switzerland at Ryanair, emphasized: "Our decision to choose Lübeck is no coincidence. Lübeck Airport has turned out to be an attractive location with great potential for us."
Lübeck Airport is currently investing around 50 million euros in expanding its infrastructure in order to establish itself as a modern, efficient and cost-effective airport and to increase its competitiveness. Managing Director Jürgen Friedel explained: "We have succeeded in bringing Ryanair back to Lübeck. With this partnership, we have taken an important step forward and are committed to sustainable growth. The connection to international air traffic is crucial for the competitiveness of the north. We have worked hard to create an airport that offers both airlines and passengers a high level of comfort and fast travel times."
Ryanair has 95 bases across Europe and connects 235 airports in 37 countries. The airline currently operates 600 aircraft and has ordered 340 more Boeing aircraft. 2026 new aircraft are to join the fleet by spring 30. The decision to add Lübeck as a new base is in line with Ryanair's strategy to shift capacity to lower-cost markets. This is a response to the high fees and charges in Germany that are hampering the growth of the aviation industry. While aviation is growing faster in many European countries after the pandemic, the German market is recovering slowly and is lagging behind the European average at 77% of pre-crisis levels. This is largely attributed to high fees and charges, which make Germany one of the most expensive aviation locations in Europe.
As a result, Ryanair is increasingly shifting capacity to countries such as Italy, Spain and Poland. The airline has been particularly critical of the air traffic tax and the high flight security fees in Germany. Marcel Pouchain Meyer appealed to the German government: "Germany is increasingly losing its competitiveness in air transport due to excessive location costs, rising air traffic taxes and a lack of reforms. While other European countries are specifically improving the framework conditions to promote growth, tourism and jobs, Germany is lagging far behind in this regard. Without a reduction in fees and a more competitive aviation policy, airlines will continue to be forced to shift capacity abroad. If the German government acts now, it can strengthen Germany as an air transport location in the long term and enable further growth."
Ryanair's decision to include Lübeck in its route network could also have a positive impact on the regional economy. The new flight connections will not only offer improved travel options for the region's residents, but could also boost tourism and attract business travelers. The airport's investments in infrastructure are aimed at creating attractive conditions for both passengers and airlines.
It remains to be seen how German aviation policy will develop in the coming years and whether measures will be taken to improve the competitiveness of the location. The partnership between Ryanair and Lübeck Airport could serve as a model for successful cooperation that promotes growth and development despite challenging conditions.
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