Ryanair warns of significant cuts to its airline operations in Germany.
Ryanair, the popular budget airline from Ireland, is putting pressure on the German government. They've announced plans to decrease the number of flights from German airports by a substantial amount next summer if the aviation tax in Germany isn't lowered. This could affect over a million German vacationers with seven-figure numbers.
Ryanair has suggested a few changes to the German aviation scene. They're asking for a reduction in air traffic control fees and a waiver for the increase in fees for airport security checks for passengers.
From Ryanair's perspective, the major issue hindering the recovery of air traffic at German airports post-Covid is the high costs imposed by the government. The CEO of Ryanair, Eddie Wilson, states, "The German aviation market is broken and needs immediate fixing." He points out that due to the high taxes and fees, as well as the monopolistic pricing of Lufthansa, German citizens end up paying the highest airfares in Europe.
The German Federal Statistical Office has confirmed the high prices of tickets in Germany. While prices for long-haul flights have slightly decreased for the first half of 2024, the cost of intra-European flights is still 2.7% more expensive compared to the high-priced year before. The German industry association BDL has also criticized the high cost burden and requested a hold on charges for the aviation industry.
Ryanair's CEO, Eddie Wilson, asserted that the German aviation market is facing significant challenges, largely due to the high taxes and fees imposed by the government. Ryanair has initiated a plea to the German government, urging a reduction in air traffic control fees and waiving the increase in fees for airport security checks for passengers, to foster a more competitive aviation landscape.
