“Europe is currently experiencing record demand for flights. Airlines are increasingly avoiding Germany, however, due to ever-rising taxes and charges,” comments Dr. Joachim Lang, Director General of the German Air Transport Association (BDL).
Seat capacity on flights departing from Germany during the winter months through the end of March reaches only 87 percent of the pre-corona 2019 level. Since then, government-imposed location-related costs for aviation have more than doubled – they are higher than in any other European country.
When it comes to post-corona aviation recovery, Germany is therefore trailing behind. For cost reasons, airlines will expand their services from Germany only to a limited extent again this coming winter. Compared with the previous winter season, capacity will increase by 6 percent.
By contrast, capacity in the other European countries will reach a new record level. It will grow by 7 percent to 113 percent of the 2019 level. “There is no lack of demand for flights in Germany. Due to the high cost burden, however, there is a shortage of supply. Airlines are expanding their schedules primarily in countries with attractive operating conditions,” says Dr. Lang.
Development of Germany as an aviation hub falls short of its potential
As a result, Germany’s position as an aviation hub continues to lag far behind its potential. Connectivity of the German economy to its international markets is restricted, leisure travel becomes increasingly expensive, and fewer tourists come to Germany due to limited flight options. Hotels and restaurants, for example, are feeling the impact.
In addition, Germany risks falling even further behind next year. Instead of implementing the relief measures announced in the coalition agreement of the CDU/CSU and SPD – such as rolling back the most recent 2024 increase in aviation tax – state-set charges for aviation security checks and air traffic control are set to rise even further. Dr. Lang states: “The cost spiral must finally be brought to an end. We call on the Federal Government to restore the competitiveness of Germany as an aviation hub.”
