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German Airports Forecast 2026 Passenger Growth to 225 Million

The industry links the outlook to tax relief, urging further cuts to help airlines restore routes.

Overview

  • Airport association ADV projects a 4.2% rise in 2026 to about 225 million passengers, which would leave traffic at roughly 91% of 2019 levels.
  • Growth is expected to be strongest on European routes at 5.2%, with long-haul up 3.1% and domestic traffic up 2.9%.
  • ADV says the outlook assumes the government delivers the planned cut to the air ticket tax on July 1, 2026, and calls for additional reductions in taxes and fees.
  • Air navigation provider DFS reports 2025 civilian flight movements rose 3.5% to 3.071 million, with July 18, 2025 marking the busiest day at 10,220 movements.
  • DFS says its contribution to delays fell to 30 seconds per flight in 2025 and reports a record 225 drone incidents, mostly near airports.