Air Travel in Germany Becomes Significantly More Expensive – Federal Statistical Office Reports Increase of 8.5 Percent

The increase was particularly steep for domestic flights: tickets for routes within Germany cost passengers 9.5 percent more than in the same period of the previous year. Flights within Europe also became more expensive than average, with an increase of 11.5 percent. Among the prices for international flights in economy class, the highest increases were recorded for air travel to Central America, with an increase of 12.5 percent.

Long-haul flights to North America became 3.7 percent more expensive, and tickets to Australia and Asia cost 4.9 percent more. Travel to South America remained nearly stable with an increase of just 0.3 percent. Flights to Africa were an exception, becoming 12.0 percent cheaper in economy class.

Package Holidays Abroad Become Moderately More Expensive

In addition to flight prices, package holidays also rose. Abroad they were 3.0 percent more expensive than in the same period of the previous year. Travel to Egypt recorded the largest increase at 5.2 percent, followed by the Canary Islands at 4.6 percent and the Balearic Islands at 3.6 percent. Package holidays to Turkey became 1.3 percent more expensive, while trips to Greece remained almost unchanged. Domestic package holidays rose on average by 2.8 percent.

Kerosene Prices and Airport Capacities as Drivers

The burdening factors are considered to be higher kerosene prices, fueled among other things by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz following the Iran war, as well as a tight supply at German airports as a result of high government fees and taxes. The decided reduction of the German air traffic tax only took effect at the beginning of the second half of the year and therefore could not yet be reflected in the half-year figures.

In previous years as well, airline tickets and package holidays had in some cases been significantly above the general rate of inflation. Numerous airlines on all continents had also raised their prices and canceled flights for safety or economic reasons, further tightening supply.

Ticket prices for most flights have risen significantly in the first half of 2026. The development affects both business travelers and vacationers, who must dig deeper into their pockets for summer and autumn trips.

Analysts See Lufthansa Stock Cautiously

Analysts on the financial markets reacted cautiously to the state of the industry. Bernstein Research rated Lufthansa stock on July 7, 2026 as "Market-Perform," Barclays Capital rated it on July 8, 2026 as "Underweight," and DZ BANK recommended on July 10, 2026 "Hold." Only UBS AG had issued a "Buy" rating on July 3, 2026.

The data come from the Federal Statistical Office and were distributed via the news agency AFP. The agency pointed out that the air traffic tax reduction only takes effect from July 2026 and can have a price-dampening effect only in the second half of the year.

For consumers, the development means that both short-haul flights within Germany and classic vacation destinations such as the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, or Egypt have become noticeably more expensive in the summer of 2026. Those hoping for bargains may find what they are looking for in flights to Africa, according to statistics – these were the only category with significantly falling prices.