Germany’s domestic flights plummet as international routes dominate the skies

Germany’s aviation landscape is transforming—with domestic routes fading and global connections soaring. What’s behind the dramatic shift in how Germans fly?

, and Administrator

2025 December 15 . 7:29 PM

1 min read

This picture shows few jet planes releasing smoke all are blue and yellow in color and we see blue... — This picture shows few jet planes releasing smoke all are blue and yellow in color and we see blue sky.

Germany’s domestic flights plummet as international routes dominate the skies

Domestic air travel in Germany has shrunk significantly since 2019. New figures show fewer flights and passengers staying within the country, while connections to international destinations grow stronger. The shift reflects changes in airline operations and passenger behaviour over the past four years.

In 2019, domestic flights made up 26.7% of all departures from Germany, carrying 18.3% of passengers. By 2023, those numbers had dropped to 20.6% of flights and just 11.4% of travellers. The decline comes as low-cost carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet pull out of regional routes, leaving Lufthansa as the main operator for most inner-German services.

The latest data confirms a clear shift in Germany’s aviation landscape. With fewer domestic flights and more passengers transferring to international routes, the country’s air travel system is now heavily focused on global connectivity. Lufthansa’s dominance in the remaining market means most regional travellers have limited options—and often higher fares.