Flying is comparatively expensive in this country. The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair, which is further withdrawing from Germany, is also complaining about this.
The Irish low-cost airline Ryanair is making good on its threat and is significantly reducing its offering in Germany. Dortmund, Dresden and Leipzig will no longer be served in the summer of 2025, said airline boss Eddie Wilson in Hamburg. The offer in Hamburg will be reduced by 60 percent in the summer. Ryanair aircraft are not stationed at the locations.
It has been known since August that Ryanair wants to reduce its services at the capital’s BER airport. 20 percent fewer flights are expected to reach Berlin than before.
Wilson justified the decision with excessive costs in Germany. He called on Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) and the federal government to, among other things, abolish the air traffic tax and reduce air traffic control fees.
Wilson said the decision is final. But if the federal government reacts, Ryanair would do the same. Ryanair had already threatened to cut its offering in Germany in August if the government did not withdraw the increased aviation tax.
Wilson: Government policy “irrational”
The aviation tax was increased in Germany in May. Depending on the destination of the trip, it is between 15.53 and 70.83 euros per ticket, which providers usually pass on to the passengers. The air traffic control fee is used, among other things, to pay for the work of German air traffic control. According to the Federal Association of German Airlines (BDF) from Berlin, the fee in Germany is one of the highest in Europe.
Wilson described the federal government’s policies as “irrational.” The government assumes that the market for air transport in Germany can grow, although it is becoming less and less competitive.
The deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Ulrich Lange, called on the government to reverse the increase in aviation tax. It should not be the case that the government improves the state treasury at the expense of the location.
Multiple location-dependent costs
According to BDF, there are several costs for airlines that are location-dependent and material. In addition to the aviation tax and the air traffic control fee, the association also refers to the aviation security fee that is incurred when searching passengers and their luggage. Their maximum amount is expected to increase from ten to 15 euros in 2025. The BDF also mentions airport fees that the operators demand from the companies.
Associations express criticism of competitive conditions
The BDF said the association was not surprised by Ryanair’s announcement. “That was a withdrawal with an announcement and shows the negative dynamic in which Germany as an aviation location as a whole currently finds itself,” said Managing Director Michael Engel.
The BDF expects further negative news of this kind – especially from Hamburg, it is said. The airport operator is planning to increase fees there next year.
The airport association ADV from Berlin warned in a statement that Germany was losing touch in air traffic. The Ryanair announcement shows that the location in Germany is too expensive, said managing director Ralph Beisel. “We are no longer competitive.”
Routes should be eliminated, but Ryanair jobs should not be eliminated
As Ryanair announced, the entire offer in Germany next summer will be reduced by twelve percent compared to this year’s summer. 22 routes will be eliminated. Wilson emphasized that there would be no job cuts at Ryanair as a result of the cuts. He still expects that jobs will be lost. This applies to taxi companies or restaurants, for example.
Source: Stern
