2.01 million passengers in the summer holidays

Top travel destinations are Turkey, Spain and Italy

In a few days' time, the summer holidays will be starting – bringing the year's biggest surge in passenger numbers at Cologne Bonn Airport with them. In the period from 12 July to 27 August 2019, more than 2.01 million passengers are expected at the airport, slightly down on last year’s summer holidays (-4%). 

"This year, we're once again looking forward to welcoming more than two million passengers here at Cologne Bonn Airport over the course of the summer holidays. The summer holidays are a very labour-intensive time here at the airport, but they are also an especially enjoyable and exciting time", says Johan Vanneste, Chief Executive Officer of Flughafen Köln/Bonn GmbH.

At peak times, up to 150 aviation security assistants will be employed at the security checkpoints. Passenger security checks are handled by Kötter Aviation Security on behalf of the Federal Police. "Our company is well-prepared for the upcoming summer holiday traffic. Before the season even starts, I would like to extend my special thanks and give particular recognition to my highly motivated team who make it possible—through their exceptional level of commitment—for our passengers to have an enjoyable and safe start to their long awaited holidays", says Peter R. Lange, Managing Director of Kötter Aviation Security.

Every year an especially high number of passengers use the airport on the first and last weekends of the holidays. On the first weekend (12-14 July), Cologne Bonn is expecting almost 127,000 travellers. On the Friday alone, there will be 340 take-offs and landings and, over the course of the whole weekend, more than 900.

On the last weekend (23-25 August), around 133,000 passengers are expected. The day with the most passengers is anticipated to be 23 August, the last Friday of the holidays, with a total of more than 48,000. 

This year's favourite sunshine destination is Antalya, taking over from last year's favourite, Palma de Mallorca. There will be more than 80 flights a week from Cologne/Bonn to the beach resort on the Turkish Riviera. The "classic" holiday destination, Majorca, is now in second place, followed by Istanbul and Ankara. Overall, the flight schedule features around 425 flights a week to sunshine and bathing destinations. When it comes to city breaks, the most popular destinations are Berlin, Munich, London, Hamburg and Vienna. Once again, this year's most popular travel destinations are Turkey, Spain and Italy.

Tips for travellers:

Travelling to the airport

To ensure a relaxed start to their holidays, passengers are advised to allow more time than usual for check-in and security checks. Passengers can find information about the current waiting times at the security checkpoints online at www.cologne-bonn-airport.com or on the CGN Airport app. They can also access further information on the journey to the airport from their respective airlines. The Terminal Service staff are happy to help with any questions that arise at the airport.

Rules on hand luggage

Passengers can save time at security by packing their hand luggage with particular care: sharp, pointy objects should not be put in hand luggage – manicure sets and pocket knives for picnics should likewise be put in suitcases to go in the hold. Liquids and creams are allowed, provided each individual bottle does not exceed 100ml in volume (and no more than 1 litre in total). The liquids must be placed in a transparent 1 litre plastic bag with a zip fastening. Further information on the subject of hand luggage is available (in German) on the Federal Police website at  www.bundespolizei.de.

"Family Lane" for parents travelling with children

In Terminal 1 there is a “Family Lane” for families travelling with children. The screening equipment in the "Family Lane" is so large that even children's car seats and pushchairs can go through for screening without an issue. The staff there have also been carefully selected and given special training in dealing with young children.

Parking

There are three multi-storey car parks at Cologne Bonn Airport, providing passengers with around 12,600 parking spaces. Passengers who book their parking spaces online at www.koeln-bonn-airport.de will be charged the reduced rates that are currently available. The airport recommends that holidaymakers look on the website in advance to find information on the current occupancy of the car parks. Entry to the airport is free of charge for 10 minutes for drivers dropping off or picking up passengers. If the stay lasts longer, there are inexpensive parking facilities available in car parks 2 and 3.