In July 2024, German airports recorded a noticeable increase in passenger traffic due to the summer holidays and the associated travel. The figures show a gradual recovery in the aviation sector, even if the momentum has slowed compared to previous months.
With around 21,19 million passengers arriving and departing, airports recorded an increase of 3,5 percent in July compared to the same month last year. However, the recovery rate, which measures the degree of recovery to the pre-crisis level of 2019, remains at only 85,1 percent, making Germany one of the markets with the slowest recovery in Europe.
The summer holidays caused a significant increase in passenger numbers compared to June 2024, when around 1,2 million fewer passengers were counted. Growth compared to July 2023 is 3,5 percent, but the figures remain 2019 percent below the pre-crisis levels of 14,9. What is particularly striking is that the recovery rate for the whole of July is 85,1 percent, making Germany one of the slowest recovering markets in Europe.
Overall, cargo volume grew to 403.027 tonnes, an increase of 4,2 percent compared to the previous year. However, compared to July 2019, this represents a slight decrease of 0,8 percent. The number of commercial flight movements also rose by 3,2 percent to 172.754 take-offs and landings in July. Nevertheless, only 2019 percent of flight movements were carried out compared to 81,2, which indicates that the market has not yet fully recovered.
Segment analysis: Intercontinental connections on the road to recovery, domestic German connections stagnating
The intercontinental traffic markets are showing a positive recovery. With more than 3,92 million passengers in July and a year-on-year growth of 5,0 percent, the recovery rate for this sector is 94,2 percent compared to 2019. This shows that international travel, especially for long-haul flights, has almost reached pre-crisis levels and is showing strong demand.
In contrast, domestic German connections are stagnating. Here, the number of passengers fell by around 100.000 in July compared to the previous month and recorded a decline of 2,0 percent compared to the previous year. Particularly striking is the significant shortfall compared to 2019, when almost half of the passengers (-48,0 percent) were missing. The lack of competition and a limited range of services are having a negative impact on demand, which is exacerbated by a lack of connections and occasional flight cancellations.
European traffic shows a mixed picture. Although passenger volumes increased by a seasonal 6,1 percent compared to June, growth slowed to 3,9 percent compared to the previous year. The recovery rate is 90,8 percent, which indicates a continued recovery but also indicates a gradual slowdown in growth.
Annual outlook: catch-up effects and structural challenges
So far this year from January to July 2024, a total of 117,91 million passengers have been counted at German airports, an increase of 9,0 percent compared to the same period last year. Despite this growth, all distance classes are showing single-digit growth rates. This indicates that the catch-up effects of the pandemic are largely over and growth is no longer as dynamic as in previous years.
The distribution of market segments also illustrates these trends. While domestic German traffic recorded 13,54 million passengers, a growth of 5,1 percent over the previous year, the number of passengers remained at just 2019 percent compared to 49,7. In European traffic, the number rose to 81,0 million passengers, which corresponds to an increase of 9,4 percent over the previous year and reaches 89,2 percent of the volume of 2019. Intercontinental traffic grew by 10,0 percent to 23,17 million passengers, reaching 93,5 percent of the pre-crisis level.
Cargo market: Positive growth in unloadings, stagnation in loadings
Air freight volumes are showing a positive trend, particularly in terms of unloadings. In July, unloadings rose by 7,8 percent to 196.170 tons, while invitations only increased by 1,0 percent to 206.858 tons. Compared to 2019, invitations are down 2,3 percent, while unloadings rose by 1,0 percent. For the period from January to July 2024, air freight volumes total 2.762.536 tons, an increase of 2,4 percent compared to the previous year. While unloadings increased by 5,0 percent, invitations are almost stagnant.
The data for July 2024 show a mixed picture for German airports. While international travel and cargo volumes are showing positive trends, domestic connections continue to face challenges. The slow recovery compared to pre-crisis levels and the ongoing structural problems in the domestic German market highlight the difficulties facing the aviation market. Future developments will depend on how quickly the market can continue to recover and the extent to which structural adjustments and competitive conditions will affect the various traffic segments.
and 