Stuttgart Airport is under increasing pressure. More and more foreign airlines – including British Airways and Air France – are withdrawing their services. They cite high operating costs and increasing bureaucracy, which make operations unprofitable, as the main reasons. This development not only affects Stuttgart Airport but also underscores Germany’s declining attractiveness as an aviation hub. For international airlines like British Airways and the French carrier, locations with lower operating costs are becoming more appealing.
Stuttgart Airport loses important international connections
Air France started the trend by announcing the cancellation of its route between Stuttgart and Paris. British Airways soon followed suit: the connection to London-Heathrow will be removed from the flight schedule from summer 2026 onwards.
This means Stuttgart Airport is losing two important routes via central hubs. International connecting flights are a crucial factor for global air traffic. Their discontinuation significantly weakens the airport’s importance.
High operating costs and bureaucracy as main reasons
Foreign airlines are sensitive to economic conditions. Rising operating costs, stricter environmental regulations, and extensive administrative requirements are driving up operating expenses. This development affects not only Stuttgart Airport, but many German airports. An industry expert commented that “the cost structure at German airports is increasingly becoming a problem.”
Compared to international competitors, German airports often fare worse. Countries like the Netherlands and Austria offer lower fees and more flexible structures. This makes them more attractive to airlines as hubs for their fleets or as entry points to the European market.
Challenges and Future Opportunities for Stuttgart Airport
Even though airlines like Lufthansa, KLM, and Turkish Airlines continue to offer connections via their hubs, the loss of direct routes to London and Paris remains noticeable. While Eurowings still operates flights to Great Britain, the airport lacks globally connected partners to maintain its competitiveness on an international level.
Stuttgart Airport is therefore faced with the task of strengthening its appeal to foreign airlines. This could be achieved through reduced fees, digitized administrative processes, or stronger collaborations. If the airport fails to lower these economic and bureaucratic hurdles, it risks a permanent loss of significance – both for the airport itself and for the entire region.