Germany’s largest airports ranked – did you expect this order?

Germany is home to several major international airports, but only a few handle the majority of passengers. From historic airfields to modern hubs, the differences are significant. Which airport would you have guessed as number one – and which ones have you flown from?

When thinking about Germany’s largest airports, many people immediately have a favorite in mind. However, annual passenger figures define the actual ranking. In fifth place is Hamburg Airport with around 15 million passengers per year. Opened in 1911, it is the oldest airport in Germany and connects northern Germany with destinations across Europe.

Fourth place goes to Düsseldorf Airport with approximately 20 million passengers annually. It serves as the most important aviation hub in North Rhine-Westphalia and is especially popular among leisure travelers. Third place is Berlin Brandenburg Airport with around 25 million passengers. Since opening in 2020, it has developed into a central location for both domestic and international flights.

The scale increases significantly in second place: Munich Airport handles about 42 million passengers per year. It acts as a major hub for Lufthansa and is often described as one of Europe’s most modern airports. At the top stands Frankfurt Airport with roughly 61 million passengers annually, making it Germany’s largest airport and one of Europe’s key international hubs.

This ranking highlights not only size differences but also varying roles, from regional gateways to global connectors. If you have traveled through any of them, you may have experienced these differences firsthand.

Which airport would you have expected to be the largest – and which ones have you personally departed from? Have you flown from Frankfurt Airport? Have you used Munich as a transfer hub? Does Berlin’s position surprise you?

_{(C) From Brücke-Osteuropa - Own work, CC0,}https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17374662