Dortmund Airport records record numbers during the North Rhine-Westphalia autumn holidays

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Significant increase in passenger numbers at Dortmund Airport during the autumn holidays

During the 2025 autumn school holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund Airport recorded a significant increase in passenger numbers, handling a total of 178,487 passengers. Compared to the previous year, approximately 6,300 more travelers chose to book their flights via Dortmund Airport, representing a growth of 3.7 percent. With over 1,500 takeoffs and landings during the school holidays, the airport’s continued appeal to travelers from the region is evident. This development underscores the growing importance of Dortmund Airport as a regional hub for domestic and international flights. The increase in passenger numbers reflects both the growing interest in holiday destinations and the confidence in the flight connections offered.

Peak travel days and preferred flight destinations

The highest passenger numbers were recorded on Saturdays, October 11th and 18th. On these days, more than 13,000 passengers used Dortmund Airport, indicating increased travel activity at the beginning and during the holiday season. Despite challenges such as the discontinuation of Ryanair‘s services and the resulting reduced seat capacity, some routes remained particularly popular. Flights to Katowice and Palma de Mallorca once again topped the list of most frequently chosen destinations.

In terms of numbers, around 16,800 passengers flew between Dortmund and Katowice, while the route to the Balearic island of Palma de Mallorca was also very popular with approximately 14,200 passengers. The Albanian capital, Tirana, followed in third place with more than 13,900 travelers, indicating increased demand for Eastern European destinations. Overall, these diverse routes reflect the varied preferences of travelers, who seek both Mediterranean beaches and urban cultural destinations.

Strong growth in travel destinations on the Turkish Mediterranean coast

A remarkable trend can be observed in the connection between Dortmund and the Turkish Riviera. During the autumn school holidays, almost 12,300 guests traveled to Antalya, catapulting the region to fourth place among the most popular holiday destinations. Even more impressive is the passenger growth on this route, which, at over 110 percent compared to the same period last year, clearly demonstrates the growing popularity and increasing interest in this destination. This development also underscores the changing travel preferences and the importance of Turkey as a holiday destination for German travelers.

Furthermore, the figures demonstrate good flight occupancy, which, as a result of the new or increased flight offerings, also optimally utilizes the airport’s capacity. Besides Antalya, Chișinău also boasts a particularly high average seat occupancy of over 95 percent, reflecting the efficiency of the flights and the interest in this connection.

Dynamic development of Dortmund air traffic in the context of tourism

The positive trend in passenger numbers is not only an indication of the upswing in air traffic in Dortmund, but also a reflection of the overall increasing demand for individual travel options. While traditional destinations like Palma de Mallorca remain very popular, changing geopolitical and economic conditions are creating new tourism flows.

The solid flight occupancy rates and the diverse range of destinations underscore the importance of a flexible and varied flight offering. Furthermore, the increase in takeoffs and landings demonstrates how Dortmund Airport is holding its own in competition with other regional hubs and plays a vital role for both leisure and business travelers. These factors also impact the regional economy, as rising passenger numbers often have a positive effect on logistics, hospitality, and retail.

Conclusion: Regional airport development reflects growth in travel traffic

The autumn school holidays in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2025 brought Dortmund Airport not only a welcome increase in passenger numbers, but also a diverse range of travel options for passengers of all ages. The 3.7 percent increase compared to the previous year is a clear indication of the airport’s attractiveness as an infrastructure hub and as a gateway to popular European and non-European destinations. The rise in passenger numbers benefits not only the airlines involved, but also numerous companies in the region, which are seeing increased business due to the higher volume of traffic.

The continued high demand for flights to Katowice, Palma de Mallorca, and Tirana, as well as the significant growth in travel to the Turkish Mediterranean coast, demonstrates the dynamic evolution of travel patterns. The excellent occupancy rates on flights to Chișinău, which reflect sustained demand, also deserve special mention. This positive development at Dortmund Airport thus reflects a growing need for travel, manifested in the combination of tourism, business travel, and regional mobility, firmly establishing the airport as a key player in German air traffic.