Air transport industry in Germany - statistics & facts
Germany hosts two of the ten largest passenger airports in Europe, Frankfurt and Munich, which act as a central hub for air traffic within Europe and beyond. As of 2024, Frankfurt recorded around 18,611 departures, more than 50 departures per day. In terms of air cargo Germany takes an even more central role. Frankfurt is the largest cargo airport in Europe, handling nearly two million metric tons of cargo annually.
Consolidation proceeds in the airline sector
Air transport contributes significantly to the German economy and supports a wider network of logistics and passenger transport. In 2023, there were a total of 618 companies active in the air transport sector, providing employment and offering services in airline operations, ground operations and supplying industries. The total number of aviation companies in Germany, however, has been declining over the last decade and now stands at just over 100 aviation companies that hold an operating license. This is at least in part due to consolidation in the airline sector, where smaller airlines have struggled to compete with larger operators and have either gone out of business or been bought up by one of the larger operators. This is a trend that extends beyond German borders. In 2026, Germany’s largest carrier, the Lufthansa Group, is completing is acquisition of a 41 percent stake in Italy’s flag carrier ITA.
Lufthansa remains Germany’s leading airline
Lufthansa is Germany’s most frequently used airline, accounting for around 36 percent of passenger bookings. In 2024, the company transported over 130 million passengers. Aside from its Lufthansa brand and the newly acquired stake in ITA, the company holds a stake in a number of other European carriers, including SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings.
As of 2024, the revenue of Lufthansa Group amounted to 38.6 billion euros, while EBITDA stood at nearly four million euros. This was a slight improvement in revenue compared to the previous year but a small decline in EBITDA. Lufthansa and other aviation companies can expect growing demand in the aviation sector in the coming years, as total revenue in the passenger segment is expected to grow to 30 billion euros by 2030.Â
