Germany’s Aviation Rebound Lags Behind Europe as Costs Hamper Growth

Germany’s aviation sector has emerged from the pandemic as one of Europe’s slowest recovering markets, standing in stark contrast to other major aviation hubs across the continent. Despite Europe's top aviation countries surpassing pre‑COVID capacity in 2025, Germany remained significantly below its 2019 levels, with overall capacity more than 11% lower.

Several factors have contributed to this lagging recovery. Elevated taxes, rising airport charges and a shift in airline strategies toward prioritising profitability over expansion have constrained market growth. The result is a recalibrated aviation landscape in Germany where carriers focus on selectivity and yield rather than volume and network expansion. 

High operational costs have also led low‑cost carriers to redeploy capacity to lower‑cost jurisdictions elsewhere in Europe, reducing competitive pressure on German airports. Policymakers have placed strong emphasis on sustainability and regulatory priorities, at times above efforts to rebuild network scale, further shaping the post‑pandemic market dynamics. 

This structural divergence in recovery has broader implications for Germany’s connectivity, economic vitality, and role within Europe’s aviation system. As Southern and Eastern European markets continue to expand, Germany’s measured approach raises questions about its long‑term hub competitiveness.