In a significant move, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, Ryanair, has announced it will reduce its Winter ’25 capacity in Germany by more than 800,000 seats. The airline also revealed the cancellation of 24 routes across nine high-cost German airports, including major hubs in Berlin, Hamburg, and Memmingen. In addition, airports in Dortmund, Dresden, and Leipzig will remain closed, contributing to the airline’s decision to reduce its overall capacity in Germany compared to the previous year.
Ryanair’s decision comes as part of its ongoing criticism of the German government’s failure to address the escalating costs associated with air travel in the country. The airline highlights the government’s inability to reverse the significant aviation tax increase, which rose by 24% in May 2024, despite previous commitments. The tax increase, combined with Germany’s soaring air traffic control (ATC) charges, high security fees, and rising airport costs, has made Germany one of the least competitive air travel markets in Europe.
Ryanair’s announcement underscores the airline’s frustrations with Germany’s high aviation-related charges. The airline has repeatedly voiced its concerns regarding the government’s failure to address what it calls “punitive” aviation taxes. According to Ryanair, the government’s policies are having a detrimental impact on both the airline’s operations and the broader aviation sector in Germany.
In comparison to other European countries such as Ireland, Spain, and Poland, where aviation taxes are either non-existent or minimal, Germany’s rising charges place it at a significant disadvantage. While nations like Sweden, Hungary, and parts of Italy are actively reducing their aviation taxes and lowering access costs to stimulate traffic and economic growth, Germany’s steep rise in aviation costs continues to stifle its air travel market.
Ryanair argues that this discrepancy in aviation policies is hampering the recovery of Germany’s air traffic market, which continues to operate at less than 90% of its pre-COVID levels. This is in stark contrast to other European markets, where airlines like Ryanair are experiencing significant growth due to more favorable operating conditions.
According to data from the German Airports Association (ADV), Germany’s air travel market has shown one of the slowest recoveries in Europe, with air traffic reaching only 86.3% of pre-COVID levels as of September 2025. This puts Germany among the worst-performing air travel markets in the continent, especially when compared to countries that have implemented more supportive policies for the aviation sector.
In light of this, Ryanair has warned that without a swift intervention from the German government to reduce its aviation costs, the country will continue to fall further behind more competitive markets in Europe. The airline has made it clear that it could increase its investments in Germany, including deploying up to 30 additional aircraft and creating thousands of new jobs, if the government reverses its decision to raise the aviation tax and reduces access fees.
However, without such policy changes, Ryanair stated that it would be unable to expand its operations in Germany as planned, and the airline’s capacity cuts for Winter ’25 would become a permanent fixture in the company’s strategy for the country. As a result, the decision to cut over 800,000 seats, along with the closure of three airports, is seen as a direct consequence of Germany’s high operational costs.
Ryanair’s decision is expected to have serious ramifications on both the tourism industry and employment in Germany. The reduction in capacity and route cancellations will limit the connectivity of key German airports, leading to a reduction in air traffic and fewer opportunities for tourism growth. The airline’s actions will also have a direct impact on local jobs, as fewer flights mean less demand for ground services, maintenance, and other aviation-related positions.
Tourism in Germany, which has been struggling to recover post-pandemic, stands to lose significant growth potential as a result of Ryanair’s decision. The airline has long been a key player in bringing low-cost travel options to the German market, particularly for tourists visiting the country’s major cities. Without these affordable options, travelers may seek alternatives in other European countries with lower aviation costs, further exacerbating the challenges faced by Germany’s tourism sector.
Ryanair has called for immediate action from the German government, particularly from Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, to address the country’s high aviation costs. According to Ryanair, unless the government takes urgent steps to lower aviation taxes and access fees, Germany will continue to lose out on economic opportunities and see further declines in its air travel market.
The airline has emphasized that a reduction in these costs would result in significant benefits, not only for the aviation sector but for the broader economy as well. Ryanair has committed to expanding its services in Germany if these costs are lowered, potentially doubling traffic and creating thousands of new jobs across the country.
As Germany faces a critical juncture in its aviation recovery, the outcome of this dispute could have long-lasting effects on the country’s position as a major European hub for both air travel and tourism.
Ryanair’s drastic decision to reduce its Winter ’25 capacity and cancel 24 routes is a clear indication of the negative impact that high aviation costs are having on Germany’s air travel sector. The airline’s actions serve as a wake-up call for the German government, urging it to reassess its aviation policies and make necessary changes to foster a more competitive market. Without these changes, Germany risks falling further behind its European counterparts in the race to recover from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Ryanair has made it clear that it is willing to invest more in Germany if the situation improves, the decision to scale back operations is likely to be a blow to the country’s aviation, tourism, and job markets. As the situation unfolds, it will be crucial for both government officials and industry leaders to come together to find solutions that will ensure Germany’s air travel sector remains competitive on the global stage.
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