Positive business result: Hamburg Airport invests in passenger comfort

Passenger numbers: Strong growth in demand // HAMUpgrade programme: 20 million euros for more passenger comfort in the terminals 

03.04.2025

Hamburg Airport is on track: Passenger numbers recovered faster than expected in 2024 and Hamburg Airport can report a positive business result. In addition to the increased passenger numbers, the functioning cost control system is also a major reason for the result of 20.4 million euros. With the HAMUpgrade program, further investments in the reliability of the terminal facilities, in service, speed and cleanliness as well as in various infrastructure measures are planned in the coming years.  

Christian Kunsch, CEO of Hamburg Airport: “2024 was a good year for Hamburg Airport. We handled half a million more passengers than planned, resulting in increased revenue in the aviation sector, passenger services and sales rents from restaurants and stores. In addition, our investments in convenience and smooth processes on site are paying off. We want our passengers to feel comfortable at Hamburg Airport, and that is particularly important to us. That is why we are investing around 20 million euros in new sanitary facilities, new children's play areas, more water dispensers, new seating areas and comfortable lounge corners by 2027. HAMUpgrade is the name of the program that I am personally pushing ahead with.”

Hamburg Airport continues to make a profit

Hamburg Airport has closed the 2024 financial year with a profit of 20.4 million euros, which is significantly higher than the previous year's result of 6.6 million euros. Initial plans had envisaged a profit at the previous year's level. The balance sheet total increased to 711.2 million euros, an increase of 8.4 million euros. Sales revenue increased from 259.4 million euros in 2023 to 284.6 million euros. This is 25.2 million euros more than in the previous year. The main reason for this strong upturn is the significant increase in passenger numbers.

Private travellers are the growth drivers 

In 2024, around 14.8 million passengers traveled via Hamburg Airport (2023: 13.6 million; 2019: 17.3 million). The greatest demand is for private travel, which accounts for around 78% of passenger traffic in Hamburg. The number of private travelers is almost back to pre-corona levels, while business trips are significantly less frequent due to the changed working environment. The proportion of business travelers is therefore only around 21%. One percent of passengers who state “workation” as their reason for travel, i.e. a modern combination of vacation and work, are new. For the current year, the airport expects passenger numbers to stabilize at the current level.

"HAMUpgrade" – Package of measures for the airport successfully launched

Hamburg Airport has invested several million euros in 2024 in measures to make traveling from Hamburg Airport easier, faster and more comfortable. Further investments of around 20 million euros are planned for the years 2025 to 2027. The use of new CT scanners at the security checkpoint, the expansion of Slot & Fly and the improvement of passenger control through smart gates have already been implemented. These measures have enabled the majority of passengers to pass through security in less than 10 minutes. In 2024, work began on modernizing the escalators and elevators in the terminals – this program will be continued systematically.

The renovation of the sanitary facilities with better protection against graffiti and vandalism is already underway. In the departures area, water dispensers are being added to the sanitary facilities so that travelers can fill up the water bottles they have brought with them free of charge. The airport is gradually modernizing the seating areas in the terminals and will create new, interactive children's play areas by the summer vacations. An 80 square meter smoking lounge with lounge furniture and an apron view in the Skywalk is due to open at the start of the autumn vacations. There are also plans to purchase 50 new wheelchairs and multiscooters as well as three electric highloaders for passengers with limited mobility.

Next record: More trainees than ever before

With around 1,750 employees, Hamburg Airport continues to keep the number of staff at a stable level. At the same time, Hamburg Airport has once again set a new record for trainees and dual students after 2023. The airport is currently training 49 trainees, 7 integrated degree trainees and 4 dual students. Berit Schmitz, Managing Director at Hamburg Airport: “In 2024, 21 new trainees started with us in a total of 9 professions –a record at the time. This year we are even setting a new record with 23 training places. Our own training is an important pillar for us."

Investments in own wind farm and new baggage handling system

In addition to HAMUpgrade, the airport has other investment priorities this year: The airport is investing a total of 250 million euros in the NetZero 2035 project by 2035, of which around 70 million euros will go towards the construction of the wind farm alone. Six wind turbines are currently being tendered for the Heidmoor wind farm and are to be awarded in the coming weeks. With the ongoing conversion of the vehicle fleet to alternative drive systems and the district heating contract signed last year, Hamburg Airport is on schedule to be the first major airport in Germany to achieve ground operations without CO2 emissions by 2035. Hamburg Airport is also investing in the renewal of the baggage handling system in Terminal 1 and the Airport Plaza in order to continue to meet the needs of travelers in the future. The total investment volume for the first module of the HAM Bag project is around 80 million euros. The renewal will take place during ongoing operations.