Hamburg Airport records 13.7 million passengers in 2012

In 2012, 13.7 million passengers passed through Hamburg Airport. This is around 140,000 passengers – or 1.0 percent – more than in 2011. Despite the slight increase in passenger volume, the number of aircraft movements decreased by 3.3 percent to 152,890. This is primarily due to the deployment of larger aircraft: the seating capacity per flight rose from 137 to 141, and the maximum take-off weight per aircraft movement increased by 3.6 percent (comparing 2011 with 2012). The number of passengers per flight also increased by 4.4 percent to 104.

Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport, was somewhat reserved in his response to this result: “2012 presented a difficult market situation. The German Aviation Tax has weakened the whole industry and was an unnecessary hindrance to growth. With commitment and foresight, however, Hamburg Airport has mastered these challenges. We were even able to improve slightly on the already strong result from the previous year, with well over 13 million passengers. As well as committed and friendly staff, we also offer passengers in Hamburg an attractive route network, short walking distances and a comfortable journey – from the journey to the airport through to landing at their destination. In a difficult situation, this pays off.”

On average, 37,432 passengers passed through Hamburg Airport each day in 2012, with a daily average of 418 aircraft movements (209 take-offs and 209 landings).

New routes in summer timetable 2013

In 2012, around 60 airlines operated direct flights from Hamburg to 115 destinations in Germany, Europe and around the world. And new routes are being added in 2013. Vueling, now the largest airline at Barcelona Airport, continues to grow in Hamburg as well. From 18 June, Hamburg will be just a flight away from Málaga. And from 23 March Vueling will already be flying from Hamburg to Florence – a route that no other airline serves at present. As well as Vueling, easyJet is also expanding its Hamburg route network, adding its fifth and sixth destinations. Starting 21 March, 2013, easyJet will be operating four weekly flights from Hamburg to the Scottish capital. An easyJet Airbus A319 will take off from Hamburg Airport for Edinburgh every Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. And from 8 April, 2013, the airline will be operating a daily service to Rome. From 11 February, Britain’s bmi regional will be flying between Hamburg and Bristol.

Outlook for 2013

Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport, foresees a slight upward trend for the airport in 2013, too. “2012 showed us that we need to closely monitor current economic and political developments. Hamburg Airport is therefore expecting slight growth of around 1 percent. We offer our passengers a route network with great variety and a significant level of comfort. For our staff, we are a dependable employer; for our customers, we are a reliable partner. This is not going to change. We are accepting the challenge of further improving service for passengers.”