Travel regained momentum as Munich Airport recorded 17 pc uptick in passengers to reach 37 million visitors, reaching around 80 pc of pre-pandemic 2019 levels.

Passenger traffic at Munich Airport has registered a sharp uptick as in 2023, the numbers increased by 17 pc to reach 37 million, 5 million more than in 2022.

According to a press statement, Munich Airport has reached around 80 pc of the record level from the pre-crisis year 2019. The number of aircraft movements rose by 6 pc compared to 2022 to more than 300,000 take-offs and landings. The seat load factor reached a record level of 81.3 pc, thereby exceeding 80 pc for the first time since the airport opened.

Passenger development in 2023 was centered on travel that began or ended in Munich. This was a 22 pc increase over the prior year. The number of transfer passengers, which is important for hub traffic, also saw double-digit growth of 11 pc.

“The strong growth in passenger numbers in 2023 shows how well the aviation industry is recovering in Munich. This positive development is a sign of the high demand for air travel among the public and the business community alike,” says Jost Lammers, CEO of Munich Airport.

The statement adds that air freight was also positively impacted by Munich Airport’s robust traffic development. In 2023, freight volumes rose by 7 pc to a total of around 280,000 metric tons. With 219 destinations spread across 64 countries, Bavaria’s aviation hub is once again well-connected to the world’s route network. Nine of the 99 airlines that regularly served the airport in 2023 were engaged only in air freight.