Germany’s main international airports registered a significant surge in passenger numbers during the April-October 2025 summer flight schedule, signaling a renewed appetite for international travel post-pandemic. Official data released by the Statistical Federal Office (Destatis) indicates approximately 68.5 million passengers departed for destinations abroad, representing a 4.6% increase – roughly 3 million travelers – compared to the previous year.
However, the rebound remains shy of pre-pandemic levels. Passenger volume during the summer of 2025 fell 2.8% short of the record-breaking summer of 2019, highlighting the lingering impact of travel restrictions and evolving economic uncertainties. Domestic air travel experienced a more pronounced decline, dropping 0.7% year-on-year and a staggering 54.9% compared to the pre-pandemic benchmark of 2019, prompting questions about the long-term viability of Germany’s internal air network. The overall number of air passengers increased by 4.2% year-on-year, but remained 10.2% lower than 2019.
The data reveals a shifting pattern in preferred destinations. Spain continued to reign as the most popular European destination for German travelers, with 10.5 million passengers – a slight uptick of 1.5% compared to 2024 and marginally surpassing pre-pandemic levels. However, a more striking observation is the exponential growth in travel to Turkey. Passenger numbers to Turkey soared by 7.8% year-on-year and a remarkable 33.7% compared to 2019, a trend analysts attribute to a combination of competitive pricing and changing geopolitical preferences among German travelers. Italy retains its position as a key destination, though passenger numbers remain below 2019. Greece demonstrates an even more considerable resurgence, surpassing both 2024 and 2019 levels by significant margins, potentially fueled by government tourism initiatives and changing holiday trends.
While the United States maintains its position as the leading intercontinental destination, passenger numbers declined by 1.4% compared to 2024 and 3.6% compared to 2019, suggesting a potential waning of interest among German travelers. Egypt experienced a considerable growth in passenger numbers, reflecting a broader trend of increased travel to North Africa.
The data raises critical questions regarding the sustainability of domestic air travel in Germany and prompts further assessment of the evolving dynamics influencing international travel patterns. Increased competition and shifting consumer preferences appear to be reshaping destination choices, with consequences for tourism-dependent economies both within Germany and across Europe. The significant growth in travel to Turkey, in particular, warrants closer scrutiny in relation to broader political and economic considerations.
