Dublin-based budget airline Ryanair announces a significant reduction in its operations at three German airports for summer 2025. The airline blames excessive aviation taxes and airport fees imposed by the German government for this decision. Consequently, Ryanair plans to cancel all flights to Dortmund Airport (DTM), Dresden Airport (DRS), and Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ).
As part of its new strategy, Ryanair will reduce its flights in Germany by 12%, equating to the cancellation of 1.8 million seats across 22 routes. Additionally, Ryanair will cut its services at Hamburg Airport (HAM) by 60%, resulting in 22 removed routes. This shift reflects the airline’s ongoing challenges in operating profitably in Germany.
Earlier, Ryanair had announced plans to decrease its traffic at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) by 20%. This adjustment affected six popular routes, including destinations like Brussels and Krakow.
The underlying issue stems from the German government’s failure to lower aviation taxes, security fees, and air traffic control charges. These high costs have led to Germany experiencing only an 82% recovery in its pre-Covid traffic volume. This rate makes it the weakest-performing aviation market in Europe, impacting both German citizens and travelers visiting the country.
Ryanair’s CEO expressed concerns over the rising costs imposed by the German government and the monopoly held by Lufthansa. As a result, airfares in Germany are now among the highest in Europe. Ryanair wants to expand its services in Germany, but the increasing air traffic tax and fees push its operations to other EU countries.
Ryanair warns that Germany risks losing an additional 10% of its capacity for summer 2025. If the government does not address the recent 24% increase in aviation tax, the soaring air traffic control charges, and the planned 50% hike in security fees, the airline may have to reduce its capacity further.
Ryanair’s decision highlights the ongoing challenges within the German aviation market. Without immediate action from the government, travelers may continue to face soaring airfares in one of Europe’s least recovered aviation markets.
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