Major Airlines Cut Flights to Hamburg Over Cost Hikes
In a significant reshuffle of their 2025 summer schedules, Eurowings, Condor, and Ryanair have announced substantial capacity reductions to Hamburg Helmut Schmidt Airport, citing steep hikes in operational costs due to increased charges. This collective decision underscores a broader appeal to the German government by the aviation sector to recalibrate the nation’s aviation cost structures.
The capacity cuts were initiated by Ryanair on October 10, with a 60% reduction in its Hamburg operations, which also includes a 12% general cut across Germany affecting 22 routes and 1.8 million seats. This move was in direct response to what Ryanair perceives as the German government’s inaction on reducing aviation tax, security, and air traffic control fees that are currently impacting the airline’s recovery and growth prospects.
Following Ryanair’s lead, Eurowings, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Group, announced on October 11 its plan to eliminate 1,000 flights to and from Hamburg, representing a shift of services to other airports. Notably, the airline will drop popular routes like Cologne/Bonn among others across Europe and North Africa from its Hamburg offerings.
Condor declared a 13% capacity reduction at Hamburg on October 14, with adjustments including cutting flights to destinations like Samos and Malaga, and cancelling new routes planned for the summer.
These strategic reductions are reactions to what Condor CEO Peter Gerber described as “a completely disproportionate increase in charges” which he warned could lead to higher ticket prices and the potential relocation of flights from Hamburg to more economically viable airports. Gerber’s criticisms were echoed in the industry’s broader demands for a governmental reevaluation of the cost structure impacting German aviation hubs.
Christian Kunsch, Managing Director at Hamburg Airport, contested the airlines’ stance, attributing the proposed fee increase to necessary adjustments covering rising operational costs. Kunsch argued that the fee increase of EUR2.30 per passenger, slated for April 2025, was modest and essential. He also suggested that the airlines’ united front might be a strategic play to strengthen their negotiating position in upcoming fee discussions at other airports.
Amidst these operational and financial turbulences, Kunsch pointed out that the overall impact on Hamburg Airport’s flight operations remains minimal, with the vast majority of destinations still serviced by other carriers. This ongoing dispute highlights the complex dynamics between airline operational strategies and the regulatory frameworks governing aviation economics.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com