Eddie Wilson: “The German aviation market is broken”

The low-cost airline Ryanair sharply criticizes the increase in aviation tax decided by the German federal government. The price increase, which is due to come into effect in May 2024, is 24 percent and is described by the carrier as “absurd”.

“It is incomprehensible that the German government wants to increase aviation tax by a massive 24% when Germany's post-Covid recovery is being crippled by high aviation taxes and fees, which are already among the highest in Europe, particularly in key tourism destinations such as Berlin and Cologne, where traffic volumes are only a fraction of what they could be if access costs were significantly reduced. The German aviation market is broken and urgently needs to be reformed if it is to grow again. The German government urgently needs to reduce its high aviation taxes and security fees as well as airport fees to make German airports more competitive so that low-cost airlines such as Ryanair can offer German passengers growth, choice and low fares and provide much-needed competition to Germany's high-cost airlines. Lufthansa’s monopoly,” said Ryanair DAC Managing Director Eddie Wilson.

The German federal government decided before the end of 2023 that the already controversial aviation tax would be increased in order to rehabilitate the ailing state budget. Since then there has been considerable resistance from the airline industry, but also from business and tourism.