Germany’s domestic flights face collapse as airlines abandon key routes

Airlines like Lufthansa can’t fill the void left by budget carriers. Now, Germany is slashing costs to lure back giants like United or Delta before it’s too late.

, and Administrator

2025 December 2 . 9:14 AM

1 min read

Germany’s domestic flights face collapse as airlines abandon key routes

Germany’s domestic air travel is struggling to bounce back—not because of weak demand, but because too few airlines still operate key routes. The collapse of carriers like Air Berlin and the exit of budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet have left gaps that larger players, including Lufthansa, have not filled. Now, the government is stepping in with cost cuts to help revive the sector before it shrinks further, like Sweden’s once-busy network did.

For years, Germany’s domestic flight market has relied heavily on Lufthansa Group, which focuses mostly on its major hubs. Eurowings, its low-cost arm, runs a handful of routes without real competition. The problem isn’t a lack of passengers—studies show steady demand—but a lack of airlines willing to serve these connections. Without action, experts warn Germany could follow Sweden’s path, where domestic air travel all but disappeared.

The government’s plan to slash taxes and fees aims to give airlines a financial boost by mid-2026. If carriers like United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, or Southwest Airlines respond by reinstating domestic flights, the market could stabilise. Without this, Germany risks losing even more routes, leaving travellers with fewer options and a network that looks increasingly like Sweden’s shrinking system.