Sylt sees surge in tourism as new airline routes expand

The North Sea island of Sylt, home to about 21,500 residents and attracting roughly 800,000 visitors each year, is renowned for its long sandy beaches, wind‑driven climate and diverse coastal scenery. Travelers traditionally reach the island by train over the Hindenburgdamm, but air travel is growing as a faster alternative.

Sylt Airport (IATA GWT), located just outside Westerland, now offers regular flights to major German cities and several European destinations. Eurowings connects the island year‑round with Düsseldorf and has added seasonal services from Stuttgart since May 2025. Lufthansa operates routes from Frankfurt and Munich, while Austrian Airlines began a Vienna‑Sylt service in 2025. The airport, originally built by the Luftwaffe in the 1930s, handles a high proportion of business jets and charges a passenger fee that has sparked political debate. The expanded flight schedule is expected to boost the island’s tourism sector further.