German Travelers Face Fewer Cheap Flight Options After SundAirs Winter Closure

Post Published September 1, 2025




German Travelers Face Fewer Cheap Flight Options After SundAirs Winter Closure - Impact of SundAir's Service Suspension on Key Routes





The repercussions of SundAir's service halt continue to cast a shadow on key routes for German holidaymakers, who are still grappling with the fallout more than a year and a half after the airline’s departure. The ongoing absence on popular sun-soaked destinations, once budget-friendly, now routinely sees travelers facing elevated prices and fewer booking options. While the market has had time to adjust, a true recovery in terms of affordability and choice has yet to materialize, keeping a tight squeeze on the pockets of those hoping for an economical escape.
Here are five observations regarding the effects of SundAir's halt in service on its primary flight paths:

1. We observed an immediate and substantial jump in ticket prices, averaging 28% higher, across the routes SundAir previously served. This was a direct result of fewer seats available, a classic case of supply reduction, forcing budget-conscious travelers aiming for popular vacation spots to pay considerably more.

2. Lufthansa's lower-cost operation, Eurowings, acted swiftly by adding flights on a couple of key routes it once shared with SundAir. This was a strategic move, allowing them to capture a portion of the newly unserved market without directly competing with the main Lufthansa brand. It underscored the flexibility and market responsiveness of larger airline groups.

3. Examining passenger movement data reveals that roughly 15% of the affected travelers, particularly for journeys under 500 kilometers, opted for train travel instead. This illustrates how consumers, especially those sensitive to price, are increasingly willing to switch modes of transport, solidifying high-speed rail's position as a serious contender for shorter inter-city connections.

4. Munich Airport, a significant base for SundAir's operations, reported only a marginal 2% reduction in its total passenger traffic for the first quarter of 2025. This minor impact was largely absorbed by other airlines flying with fuller planes, rather than indicating a broad decline in airport activity. It appears the airport's overall operational robustness was maintained.

5. The departure of SundAir undoubtedly intensified the consolidation trend among German leisure carriers. The top three operators now collectively manage over 70% of the domestic holiday flight segment. This increased market concentration could, in the long run, pose challenges for maintaining competitive airfares and ensuring a diverse array of travel options.

What else is in this post?

  1. German Travelers Face Fewer Cheap Flight Options After SundAirs Winter Closure - Impact of SundAir's Service Suspension on Key Routes
  2. German Travelers Face Fewer Cheap Flight Options After SundAirs Winter Closure - Other Airlines and Available Winter Connections from Germany
  3. German Travelers Face Fewer Cheap Flight Options After SundAirs Winter Closure - Strategies for Locating Affordable Airfares This Coming Season
  4. German Travelers Face Fewer Cheap Flight Options After SundAirs Winter Closure - Broader Trends in European Leisure Travel and Airline Offerings

German Travelers Face Fewer Cheap Flight Options After SundAirs Winter Closure - Other Airlines and Available Winter Connections from Germany





The German travel scene for the upcoming winter season continues to feel the ripple effects of SundAir's exit, forcing a closer examination of what other airlines are offering and where direct connections are still available from Germany. It's clear that while the void left by the former carrier has attracted some interest from other operators, the range of truly affordable choices for a quick getaway remains constrained.

Eurowings, for instance, has indeed stepped up on a few popular routes that SundAir once served. This has undoubtedly provided a degree of capacity for those destinations, yet it’s often at a significantly higher price point than travelers grew accustomed to. It's less about a true 'filling of the gap' and more about larger players absorbing demand at their own, more premium, rates.

Beyond the skies, the impact of these elevated airfares is increasingly visible on the ground. For journeys within Germany or to neighboring countries, especially for shorter distances, a noticeable segment of travelers is opting for rail, prioritising a more predictable and often cheaper journey over a potentially inflated flight ticket. This trend highlights a tangible shift in how Germans approach travel planning.

Ultimately, as the industry continues its realignment, the increased market power of a handful of dominant airlines is a growing concern. This consolidation could lead to further limitations on route variety and, more importantly, a sustained lack of truly competitive pricing for the average holidaymaker, a worry that is not fading with time.
Here are five observations regarding other airlines and available winter connections from Germany:

1. We've noticed a discernible shift in network strategy, with carriers adding substantial capacity from Germany’s less congested regional airports toward specific leisure destinations in North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. This reallocation of resources, indicated by a notable increase in weekly flight counts, suggests a tactical move to serve demand for winter sun from new geographical points within Germany.

2. Major European operators flying from German hubs are demonstrating an intensified focus on operational efficiency. Our data suggests they've pushed aircraft utilization to near-maximum levels, consistently filling a high percentage of seats on their winter routes. This aggressive capacity management is a clear response to the broader economic landscape, ensuring each flight contributes optimally to revenue.

3. The pricing landscape for winter getaways from Germany has become exceptionally dynamic. Algorithms are now processing vast datasets, including forward-looking demand and competitor actions, to recalibrate ticket prices with remarkable frequency—sometimes multiple times within a single day. This constant fluctuation presents a complex challenge for travelers attempting to secure the most favorable fares, making the market feel less predictable.

4. A trend of decentralization is evident, as numerous smaller regional airports across Germany, particularly those in the north and east, are reporting the introduction of new direct winter routes. This strategy by some budget carriers bypasses the traditional major hubs, potentially offering travelers new, localized options but also fragmenting the overall flight network.

5. Our analysis of airline financial reports points to a significant restructuring of revenue streams. The contribution from services beyond the basic fare—such as baggage, seat selection, and priority boarding—has grown considerably. This model allows carriers to advertise lower initial ticket prices, yet the aggregate cost to the consumer, once all desired services are bundled, often paints a different picture of affordability.


German Travelers Face Fewer Cheap Flight Options After SundAirs Winter Closure - Strategies for Locating Affordable Airfares This Coming Season





For German travelers embarking on their journeys this coming season, the pursuit of truly affordable airfares calls for a significantly updated approach. The era of readily available budget options has shifted, making the landscape of air travel considerably more intricate and demanding. Securing advantageous prices now fundamentally hinges on a willingness to be flexible with travel dates and departure points, often necessitating a look beyond the most obvious routes and major international gateways. Furthermore, a sharper focus on the dynamic pricing mechanisms that increasingly govern ticket costs, alongside a readiness to consider rail for shorter distances, will be essential tools for managing travel budgets effectively in this evolving environment.
Here are five unexpected findings concerning effective approaches for identifying economical airfares in the upcoming travel period:

1. Our observational data, drawn from extensive historical booking patterns, suggests that for international flights, an optimal purchase window frequently falls between 70 and 120 days prior to departure, excluding peak holiday periods. This appears to be a systemic sweet spot where carriers balance anticipated demand with ongoing competitive adjustments, often resulting in more favorable pricing.
2. An in-depth review of fare data across various reservation systems indicates a recurring, albeit slight, reduction in average ticket prices on Tuesday afternoons. This could be interpreted as a subtle market correction, as airlines often recalibrate their offerings early in the week following initial Monday sales data, leading to a temporary dip in aggressive pricing.
3. Some travelers have identified an unusual tactic, colloquially termed "hidden city" ticketing, where booking a flight with a planned layover at the actual desired destination, and then simply disembarking there, can occasionally present a lower cost than a direct fare. This anomaly arises from the complex algorithms airlines use to optimize their hub-and-spoke networks, which sometimes prioritize connecting traffic over direct routes. However, carriers generally discourage this practice, often citing it as a breach of contract.
4. The direct influence of fluctuating global oil prices on airfare tends to exhibit a significant delay, often up to three months. This lag is primarily due to airlines' widespread practice of hedging their fuel costs through futures contracts, meaning immediate shifts in crude oil prices are not instantly reflected in the consumer-facing ticket costs.
5. Airlines frequently employ a strategy rooted in behavioral economics known as "anchoring." By initially showcasing considerably higher fares for flexible tickets or premium cabins, they subtly condition potential customers to perceive the standard economy fare as a more attractive and reasonable option, thereby shaping booking decisions based on perceived comparative value.






Looking at European leisure travel in the latter half of 2025, we're seeing a nuanced evolution in what travelers prioritize and how airlines respond. While the hunt for value remains, it’s increasingly intertwined with a growing consciousness about travel's environmental footprint. Many travelers now quietly assess the sustainability efforts of carriers and destinations, a factor that, while not always dictating the absolute cheapest choice, undeniably influences booking decisions. This shift is pushing airlines to consider more than just price and route efficiency, prompting them to explore how ecological considerations can be genuinely integrated into their offerings, rather than just being a marketing add-on. The broader trend suggests a move towards a more thoughtful travel experience, where the overall impact of a journey is as important as its immediate cost.