July 9, 2025, 9:30 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The market for budget flights in Europe is growing, but Germany is lagging behind. While low-cost carriers account for about one-third of all flights across Europe, their share in Germany is only 21 percent. At the same time, ticket prices are rising significantly even in the low-price segment.
In 2024, approximately 4.7 billion passengers were counted in global air travel–more than before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the number of flights remains below pre-crisis levels. The development in the low-cost sector is particularly striking. While the market is recovering and growing globally and in Europe, Germany lags behind the trend. The withdrawal of major providers like Ryanair and the closure of locations have led to a reduced offering and more expensive flight tickets in Germany, as noted by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in its study.
Growing Importance of Low-Cost Carriers Worldwide
According to the DLR, the share of low-cost airlines worldwide is now around 30 percent. In Asia, their market share has risen to 31 percent, followed by North America with 29 percent and Europe with 23 percent. Particularly in Europe, the route network in the low-cost segment is well developed: In January 2025, over 38,000 flights on nearly 7,000 routes in 44 countries were counted. Ryanair remains Europe’s leading provider with more than 14,500 departures per week, followed by EasyJet and Wizz Air.
Shrinking Market Despite Increasing Demand
During the same period, 2,316 low-cost flights per week took off in Germany–about 10 percent more than the previous year, but still 56 percent less than in 2019. Germany ranks only fifth in Europe, behind Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France. The decline is partly due to the market exit of Air Berlin and a reduction in offerings by Ryanair. The share of low-cost flights varies significantly by airport: While in Frankfurt and Munich less than five percent of flights are by budget carriers, in Memmingen, Weeze, or Hahn, it is over 90 percent.
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Significantly More Expensive Flight Tickets in Germany
A recent price analysis by the DLR shows that even with low-cost airlines, prices have risen significantly. For a one-way ticket without luggage, passengers paid an average of between 67 euros with Wizz Air and 130 euros with Eurowings in spring 2025. Tickets booked at short notice are particularly expensive–up to 169 euros with Eurowings. Early bird prices with a three-month lead time, however, range from 44 euros with Ryanair to 90 euros with Eurowings.
High Fees and Limited Offerings
The increase in ticket prices is closely linked to the cost situation at German airports. According to the ADAC, German airports are among the most expensive in Europe. In Frankfurt/Main, government fees amount to around 59 euros per passenger, while in Berlin, they are only 22 euros. These high costs negatively impact the airlines’ offerings.
For example, Ryanair has reduced its presence in Germany, even though the airline has grown significantly across Europe. Airline CEO Eddie Wilson makes it clear: An expansion of offerings in Germany is only realistic if costs decrease.
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Hybrid Business Models and Market Changes
The business model of low-cost airlines is also changing. Many providers now combine features of network and charter airlines. The DLR considers only those airlines in its analysis that predominantly offer affordable, generally available direct connections. The four major providers–Eurowings, Ryanair, Wizz Air, and EasyJet–currently account for almost 90 percent of the German low-cost market.