In 2025, Germany's air freight sector experienced a growth of 1.6% reaching nearly five million tons, according to the German Air Transport Association (BDL). This growth was largely influenced by temporary spikes in demand, as companies preemptively filled their inventories in the United States ahead of looming tariff increases. The US government, under President Donald Trump, had raised import tariffs on cars and auto parts to 25% in April 2025, and implemented a general 15% tariff in August, resulting in increased shipments from Europe to the US.

The Frankfurt Airport, Germany's largest, managed to reclaim its status as Europe's leading freight airport, benefiting from these changes in trade dynamics. Meanwhile, air freight traffic across Europe and the globe saw even more significant growth, with an increase of around 3%. This reflects a broader trend of rising demand for air freight services as companies adjust to changing global trade policies.

Conversely, the BDL painted a bleak picture for passenger flights in Germany, indicating that passenger traffic has not yet returned to pre-COVID-19 levels. The ongoing challenges faced by the aviation sector in recovering from the pandemic are evident, as airports struggle to boost passenger numbers amidst changing flight dynamics and economic conditions.