Air traffic: Zoff to reduce ticket tax in air traffic

Air traffic tax is still violent. The federal government does not want to reduce the ticket tax in air traffic for the time being. “There are currently no scope in the federal budget,” learned the German press agency from government circles. Sharp criticism comes from the airlines. In France, a increased ticket tax will soon have noticeable consequences for passengers.

Air traffic tax was significantly increased in May 2024. This potentially expensive passenger flights from German airports. According to the results of the coalition committee from the beginning of July, the reduction in air traffic tax is not one of the primary tax measures with short -term implementation.

The cabinet decided on Wednesday the draft household in 2026, after which next year will be expected with income from air traffic tax of EUR 2.07 billion. Income of 2.05 billion is planned for 2025. After the decision in the cabinet, the Bundestag is on the move.

Associations fear far -reaching consequences

The ADV Airport Association spoke of the fact that a relief of the air traffic industry had to be a top priority, otherwise there were further declines in the event of offer, frequencies and connections. “The effects not only affect airports and airlines, but also tourism, export location and hundreds of thousands of jobs in the air traffic and travel industry,” said ADV general manager Ralph Beisel.

The Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) also reacted with incomprehension to the decision of the Federal Government. “The announcement from the coalition agreement to reduce air traffic tax must not fall victim to the red pencil,” said BTW President Sören Hartmann. The consequences are not only noticeable for airports and airlines, but also in tourism and for travelers.

Joachim Lang, General Manager of the Federal Association of German Air Traffic Management, said that the Federal Government had wasted an important opportunity for new economic growth with the decision against urgently needed relief from the state location costs for air traffic from Germany.

“Many airlines are making a bow around Germany because of the more than doubled costs. The connection of the German export industry to their international markets is suffering massively,” said Lang. “The withdrawal of the recent increase in air traffic tax from May 2024 would have been a first signal to return the airlines.”

Ryanair strokes flights to France

The Irish airline Ryanair announced in response to an increased French plane ticket tax to thin out its offer in France this winter. At three airports, including Strasbourg, you want to hire the company. The activities in France would be reduced by 13 percent for the winter and 750,000 seats canceled, Ryanair said.

“This enormous tax makes France less competitive compared to other EU countries,” said Ryanair. This means that many connections to France are unprofitable, especially at regional airports and in the winter season.

From government circles in Berlin it was said with a view to reducing ticket tax, a conceivable option of financing would be to save the funds in the household single plans or economy and energy.

It was also said that the main cost factor for the airlines was airport fees for which the transport and the Ministry of the Interior were conceptually responsible.

Announcement in the coalition agreement

In your coalition agreement, CDU, CSU and SPD write: “We want to reduce the air traffic -specific taxes, fees and levies and withdraw the increase in air traffic tax.” However, all measures of the contract are subject to financing.

Location costs such as taxes, fees and fees were comparatively high in Germany and, according to the ministry, rose by 38 percent between 2019 and 2024, and 26 percent on the European average.