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Germany: BDL calls for abolition of air traffic tax

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The German aviation industry is under considerable pressure, particularly after the recent plenary debate in the German Bundestag, in which Germany as an aviation location was discussed. The President of the Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry (BDL), Jens Bischof, has made it unmistakably clear that the industry urgently needs relief from taxes and fees in order to be able to compete internationally. The air traffic tax and the fees for security checks in particular are coming under criticism.

The aviation industry is on the road to recovery after the devastating effects of the corona pandemic, albeit more slowly than in other European countries. Bischof blames the high costs in Germany and calls on politicians to act quickly. "Flying must remain affordable," he stresses, adding that further cost increases could significantly affect demand for air travel.

The air traffic tax, which is expected to bring 2,3 billion euros into the state coffers this year, is particularly criticized. The revenue was originally intended to be used to promote e-kerosene, but support for this area has been almost completely cut. This raises the question of how serious the federal government really is about promoting sustainable aviation. "The government has broken its promise," said Bischof. The additional revenue from the tax will instead flow into a large pot for budget consolidation.

Negative effects on airlines

The tightening conditions have already led to noticeable consequences in the industry. The two major airlines Eurowings and Ryanair have announced that they will reduce their flight offerings in Germany next year. Bischof pointed out that Eurowings is considering further route cancellations at German airports in order to improve the offering in other EU countries. Ryanair has directly called on the federal government to reduce costs and "repair the ailing German air transport system".

These statements reflect the widespread dissatisfaction in the industry. Aviation is not only a significant economic factor, but also an important employer in Germany. According to the BDL, over 300.000 people are employed in the German aviation industry. A further migration of flight offers abroad could therefore not only limit the travel options of Germans, but also lead to job losses.

Political Reactions and the Future of Aviation in Germany

The plenary debate in the Bundestag made it clear that the aviation industry is no longer prepared to stand by and do nothing while costs rise and competitiveness declines. In the run-up to the debate, the BDL launched a comprehensive campaign to abolish the air transport tax, which is intended to draw attention to the urgency of the situation. Industry representatives are demanding that politicians take clear steps to ensure Germany's competitiveness as an aviation location.

However, the federal government's position on these demands remains unclear. While the ministries have not yet announced any concrete measures to reduce costs, experts see an urgent need for action. The uncertainty about how the situation will develop is putting pressure on the industry and could further delay the recovery of aviation after the pandemic.

A wake-up call for politics

The current developments in the German aviation industry are a clear wake-up call for politicians. The high taxes and fees not only endanger competitiveness, but also the future of Germany as an aviation location. It is up to the decision-makers to take the right measures and offer the airlines a perspective to overcome the challenges and stabilize the industry.

The aviation industry has a huge impact on the country's economic development and should therefore not be left behind. Only through closer cooperation between politics and the industry can a sustainable solution be found that meets both the requirements of the economy and the needs of travelers.

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