Ryanair has called on German Transport Minister Volker Wissing to take urgent action to reduce access costs and “repair Germany’s broken air transport system, which continues to lag far behind the post-Covid recovery of other EU states”.
The call comes as latest figures show Germany’s air traffic recovery at only 87% of pre-Covid levels – the slowest recovery in Europe – standing in stark contrast to other EU countries such as Hungary, Italy, Poland and Sweden, which are cutting aviation tax and airport charges, while Germany’s aviation tax has been increased by 24%, making it the most expensive in the EU.
Ryanair has already suspended 20% of its air traffic at Berlin Brandenburg Airport because of costs and has switched to other EU countries with lower costs such as Italy, Poland and Spain with lower or no aviation taxes.
Eddie Wilson, CEO of the Ryanair airline brand, said: “German citizens will be punished with fewer connections and even higher Lufthansa fares. We call on Transport Minister Volker Wissing to take urgent measures to protect German citizens and to repair the broken German airport fee model.”
“It is shocking that German air traffic only reached 87% of 2019 volumes in August, and all because the recovery in Germany continues to be stifled by high aviation taxes, airport fees and security charges. The solution to Germany’s recovery is simple – follow the example of its EU competitors such as Spain, Italy and Poland, which have fully recovered and whose traffic volumes are well above pre-Covid levels. Reduction of sky-high access costs in Germany – starting with the abolition of the aviation tax – and reduction of airport and security fees, which are the highest in Europe. Only through lower costs can Germany regain its pre-Covid traffic volume, which is why Minister Wissing must start today.”
