Munich Airport Experiences Decline in Flights and Passengers in First Half of 2026
Munich, Bavaria, Germany – September 4, 2026 – Munich Airport, Germany’s second-largest airport, has reported a notable decrease in both flights and passenger numbers during the first half of 2026. This decline comes despite an overall growth in European air traffic, according to new figures released by the Bavarian State Statistical Office.
The number of take-offs and landings at Munich Airport fell to 144,234, marking an 8.2 percent reduction compared to the first half of 2025. Passenger traffic also saw a decrease, with 18.9 million passengers passing through the airport for arrivals, departures, or transfers, representing a 4.2 percent decline. This performance places Munich Airport below both the German and European averages for air traffic during the same period.
Smaller Bavarian Airports See Significant Growth
In contrast to Munich’s decline, the much smaller airports of Nuremberg and Memmingen in Bavaria experienced robust growth. Nuremberg Airport reported 2 million passengers, an increase of 6.3 percent. Memmingen Airport saw an even more substantial rise, with 1.8 million passengers, up 7.8 percent. The State Statistical Office in Fürth published these figures without providing specific reasons for the divergent trends.
Industry Challenges: Iran War, Kerosene Prices, and High German Costs
The broader European aviation sector, as reported by the industry association ACI Europe, has seen an increase in passenger numbers despite the ongoing Iran War and elevated kerosene prices. However, German airports, grappling with high operational costs, generally experienced losses, though these were less severe on average than those at Munich.
The Iran War has significantly impacted civil air traffic to the Middle East and contributed to the surge in kerosene prices during the first half of the year. Beyond these global factors, airlines have long vocalized concerns about the high operating costs in Germany. These include the air transport tax, air traffic control fees, and airport security costs. Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s largest, also recorded a slight decrease in passenger numbers, down 0.8 percent, during the same period.
Despite these challenges, Lufthansa and the Munich Airport Company are planning a joint new construction project to significantly expand capacity at Munich Airport, indicating a long-term commitment to growth despite current high costs.
EU Regulations and ‘Green Kerosene’ Add to Financial Pressure
Further complicating the financial landscape for the aviation industry, the European Union’s mandate, introduced in 2025, requires the blending of ‘green kerosene’ into aircraft fuel. This regulation, which affects all EU air traffic, including Germany, involves a significantly more expensive fuel type that is not derived from crude oil, thereby increasing operational expenses for airlines.
The overall situation highlights a complex interplay of geopolitical events, economic pressures, and regulatory changes impacting the German aviation sector, with varying effects on individual airports within the region.
