In April 2022, the number of passengers at the airports recovered: compared to the pre-crisis level, around two thirds of the travelers from 2019 (-35,8 percent) could already be registered.
13,6 million passengers used German airports. Compared to April 2021, the volume has increased almost sixfold (+499,1 percent). With 1,64 million domestic German passengers (+372,7 percent compared to 2021), demand was only 2019 percent compared to the pre-crisis year of 41,9. In European traffic, the volume was more than sixfold compared to 2021: The 9,68 million passengers mean an increase of +555,3 percent compared to the previous year. Compared to the pre-crisis level of 2019, this is almost three quarters of travelers (71,3 percent). Intercontinental demand grew by +423,7 percent to over 2,24 million passengers compared to the previous year. Compared to April 2019, almost two thirds of travelers are transported (61,6 percent).
"In April 2022, the volume increased significantly in all traffic segments compared to the previous months. The elimination of corona restrictions, relaxed entry regulations, the significantly expanded flight offer in the summer flight schedule and two weeks of intensive Easter travel stimulated passenger demand. In European and non-European traffic, well over half of the travelers were welcomed again. The comparison with the previous year in particular shows that air traffic is recovering. The lack of traffic to Russia and Ukraine is not particularly significant due to the low volume of these destinations," says the press release from the airport association ADV.
Cargo volume: Last year's dynamic will not be reached
Air freight demand was also at a high level in April, but lost momentum. At 423.701 tons, 50.000 tons less cargo was handled compared to March. This results in a rate of change of -7,6 percent compared to the previous year. The Russia-Ukraine war is having a negative impact on air freight development: the airspace closures over Russia for German and EU carriers will continue to hardly allow any growth. The Siberia routes are the shortest way to the important freight markets in Japan, South Korea and China.
The difficult corona situation and numerous lockdowns around Chinese logistics centers would also put a strain on global supply chains. Invitations fell by -7,7 percent to 216.991t (compared to 2019 +9,9 percent). The outreach also decreased by -7,5 percent to 206.710t (compared to 2019 +5,5 percent). In the cumulative view of the year 2022, the cargo volume developed by -1,5 percent and 1.707.459.