German aviation sector calls for air travel taxes to be cut

The German aviation sector called on Sunday for taxes on air travel to be cut.

“Flying has to remain affordable,” German aviation sector association (BDL) president Jens Bischof said in remarks published by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.

“The air transport tax must be abolished. Sweden has shown the way,” he said.

Ryanair chief executive Eddie Wilson had earlier made a similar call. Ryanair, along with certain other airlines, is withdrawing from German airports, citing high costs.

The key issue is a 25% increase in the tax imposed on May 1 this year, implying additional costs of between €15.53 ($16.90) and €70.83, depending on distance. Other taxes include security levies charged for checking passengers and their hand baggage at the airport.

The air transport tax was originally introduced in Germany as a climate-saving measure, but the tax is now being earmarked for other purposes.

Air transport accounts for around 2.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with flying seen as the most polluting form of travel with respect to emissions.