BERLIN/FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - More passengers than a year ago, but significantly fewer than before the coronavirus crisis - 39.6 million passengers departed or arrived at German airports in the first three months of the year, as reported by the German Airports Association ADV on Friday. This was 13.2 percent more than in the same period last year, partly due to the early Easter, but still 22.1 percent less than in the first quarter of 2019. From an industry perspective, more people would have flown without strikes and high taxes. The coronavirus pandemic reached Germany in spring 2020.

According to the airport association, the number of passengers in the first quarter was 77.9% of the pre-coronavirus level, compared to 79.7% at the end of 2023.

In domestic German air traffic in particular, not even half as many people were traveling as before the pandemic. Capacity was also significantly reduced here. However, air traffic to Europe and overseas also continues to have fewer flights and passengers.

The association blames high taxes and fees at the location for this development. "The sum of air traffic tax, aviation security costs and air traffic control fees are driving the regulatory location costs to a level that is deterring many airlines. New routes are being established at airports outside Germany," the report states. Germany remains at the bottom of the European aviation markets./ceb/DP/stk