Condor has announced that it will reduce the number of flights departing from Hamburg Airport by 13% starting in the summer of 2025. The airline cited significant increases in airport fees as the main factor behind the cuts. Specifically, Condor will eliminate routes to Samos, Greece, and Malaga, Spain, as part of its scaled-back operations.
Condor’s CEO, Peter Gerber, stated that the company is responding to what he described as "completely disproportionate" fee hikes planned by Hamburg Airport. The airport, however, has defended its planned fee increases, maintaining they are necessary for continued operations and development.
This decision follows similar moves by other airlines. Ryanair recently announced a 60% reduction in its flight offerings from Hamburg, amounting to a loss of 1.8 million seats. Eurowings has also revealed plans to cancel more than a thousand flights from the airport in 2025, including domestic routes to Cologne-Bonn and several European destinations.
Airlines Blame Rising Costs for Service Reductions
The reductions by Condor, Ryanair, and Eurowings are largely in response to rising operational costs at German airports. Starting May 1, 2025, the air traffic tax will increase by 25%, with rates varying from €15.53 to €70.83 depending on the destination. Other contributing factors include air traffic control fees and a planned rise in aviation security fees, which will see a maximum limit of €15 per passenger, up from the current €10.
In addition to these direct costs, environmental regulations from the European Union are also putting pressure on airlines. From 2025, carriers will be required to blend 2% of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) into their kerosene supplies, adding further financial strain as SAF is significantly more expensive than traditional fuels.
Implications for Hamburg Airport
The cumulative effect of these fee hikes and regulations has led to airlines reducing their presence at Hamburg Airport, which could have long-term implications for the city’s connectivity and tourism industry. Eurowings CEO Jens Bischof warned that these rising costs would make flying from Hamburg more expensive and could weaken the city's status as a travel hub.
As airlines continue to reassess their operations in response to increasing costs, Hamburg Airport and its travelers are likely to feel the impact in terms of reduced service availability and higher prices.
