2.01 million passengers in the summer holidays
In a few days' time, the summer holidays will be starting – bringing the year's biggest surge in passenger numbers at Cologne Bonn Airport with them. In the period from 12 July to 27 August 2019, more than 2.01 million passengers are expected at the airport, slightly down on last year’s summer holidays (-4%).
"This year, we're once again looking forward to welcoming more than two million passengers here at Cologne Bonn Airport over the course of the summer holidays. The summer holidays are a very labour-intensive time here at the airport, but they are also an especially enjoyable and exciting time", says Johan Vanneste, Chief Executive Officer of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH.
At peak times, up to 150 aviation security assistants will be employed at the security checkpoints. Passenger security checks are handled by Kötter Aviation Security on behalf of the Federal Police. "Our company is well-prepared for the upcoming summer holiday traffic. Before the season even starts, I would like to extend my special thanks and give particular recognition to my highly motivated team who make it possible—through their exceptional level of commitment—for our passengers to have an enjoyable and safe start to their long awaited holidays", says Peter R. Lange, Managing Director of Kötter Aviation Security.
Every year an especially high number of passengers use the airport on the first and last weekends of the holidays. On the first weekend (12-14 July), Cologne Bonn is expecting almost 127,000 travellers. On the Friday alone, there will be 340 take-offs and landings and, over the course of the whole weekend, more than 900.
On the last weekend (23-25 August), around 133,000 passengers are expected. The day with the most passengers is anticipated to be 23 August, the last Friday of the holidays, with a total of more than 48,000.
This year's favourite sunshine destination is Antalya, taking over from last year's favourite, Palma de Mallorca. There will be more than 80 flights a week from Cologne/Bonn to the beach resort on the Turkish Riviera. The "classic" holiday destination, Majorca, is now in second place, followed by Istanbul and Ankara. Overall, the flight schedule features around 425 flights a week to sunshine and bathing destinations. When it comes to city breaks, the most popular destinations are Berlin, Munich, London, Hamburg and Vienna. Once again, this year's most popular travel destinations are Turkey, Spain and Italy.