Dortmund Airport records more than 3.2 million passengers

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Dortmund Airport looks back on a successful 2025, recording further increases in passenger numbers. A total of 3,242,569 passengers used the Ruhr region airport last year. This represents an increase of approximately 110,000 passengers, or about 3.5 percent, compared to the previous record year of 2024 (3,132,707 passengers). The number of aircraft movements also developed positively, rising by 3.5 percent to a total of 36,080 takeoffs and landings.

Record-breaking summer secures strong annual results

Die positive Jahresbilanz wurde trotz herausfordernder Rahmenbedingungen erzielt. Mit Beginn des Sommerflugplans hatte sich Ryanair vom Standort Dortmund zurückgezogen, zudem reduzierte Eurowings das Angebot. Diese Anpassungen spiegelten sich zunächst in einer verhaltenen Verkehrsentwicklung wider (+2,1 Prozent Passagierzuwachs im ersten Halbjahr). Die Wende brachte die Sommersaison: Ein deutlicher Aufwärtstrend, getrieben durch eine starke Nachfrage in den Sommerferien (+10,5 Prozent Passagierzuwachs) und einen neuen Rekordmonat August mit 337.628 Passagieren, sorgte für das starke Jahresendergebnis, das mit über 3,2 Millionen Fluggästen die ursprünglichen Erwartungen des Flughafens übertrifft.

Wizz Air and tourism as growth drivers

As the airport’s largest partner, Wizz Air carried over 2.56 million passengers and added three new destinations to its network: Warsaw, Craiova, and Olsztyn-Mazury. Fleet decisions had a positive impact, as Wizz Air is increasingly relying on the Airbus A321neo, which offers greater efficiency and a larger seating capacity per flight. There were also significant increases in the leisure travel sector. Condor increased its frequency to Mallorca from three to seven weekly flights, more than tripling passenger numbers on this route to over 56,000. Pegasus Airlines strengthened its connection to Antalya, and together with its existing flights to Istanbul, the airline reached over 144,000 passengers on both routes.

Tirana overtakes Palma

The ranking of the most popular destinations saw shifts in 2025. While the Polish city of Katowice remains unchallenged at the top with 353,202 travelers, Palma de Mallorca, which was in second place last year, slipped to fourth despite stable passenger numbers (213,323 travelers). The Balearic island was overtaken by two Eastern European capitals: Tirana and Bucharest. The route to Tirana, in particular, experienced a boom, climbing to second place in the popularity rankings with 255,886 travelers. 225,174 passengers traveled to Bucharest (third place). Connections to Gdansk, Sofia, Skopje, and Antalya were also in high demand.

Outlook for the anniversary year 2026

The signs point to celebration and expansion at Dortmund Airport in 2026. The airport will celebrate its 100th anniversary and anticipates a further increase in passenger numbers during its centenary year. “Air travel is a very fast-paced industry where adjustments often have to be made at short notice. We experienced this firsthand this year, reacted accordingly, and despite some setbacks, were able to conclude an exceptionally successful year,” summarizes airport managing director Ludger van Bebber.

He is also optimistic about the outlook for 2026: “The prospects are very promising. Six new routes being offered this year strengthen our position. With this expansion of services, we want to carry the momentum from 2025 directly into our anniversary year and continue it.” The airport has set itself the goal of welcoming up to 3.5 million passengers in 2026.

Location costs in Germany are impacting competitiveness

Despite the positive developments, the general conditions remain volatile. Although the German government has taken an important step and reversed the increase in air traffic tax introduced in May 2024, the high costs of operating in Germany continue to negatively impact competitiveness.