Tourexpi
German air traffic remains 9 percent below pre-Covid levels
Ryanair, Europe’s No. 1 airline, today released its
German traffic update for August, confirming that Germany remains the weakest
performing aviation market in Europe. The main reason: extremely high access
costs, including the excessive air travel tax, air traffic control and security
charges, and high airport fees. Costly airports such as Dresden (–62%), Berlin
(–72%), and Leipzig (–77%) continue to underperform far below pre-crisis
levels.
Recovery held back by high taxes and fees
The continued failure of the new federal government to
implement the promised reduction in access costs is stalling recovery and
growth. Unlike countries such as Ireland, Hungary, Poland, and Italy – which
reduced fees and scrapped air travel taxes to stimulate post-Covid growth –
Germany’s air traffic remains 9% below pre-Covid levels.
Call for urgent government action
Ryanair is once again urging the German government to
reform the struggling aviation system by abolishing the damaging air travel tax
and lowering ATC and security charges. Only then will airlines be encouraged to
invest, helping to revive Germany’s economy, tourism, and connectivity.
Traffic
recovery 2025 vs. 2019
|
Country |
Recovery |
State
taxes |
|
Ireland |
108% |
€0 |
|
Hungary |
109% |
€0 |
|
Poland |
124% |
€0 |
|
Germany |
91% |
€15.53 |
Statement
from Ryanair
“Our August traffic figures confirm that German
aviation is in free fall, far below pre-Covid levels, especially at high-cost
airports such as Dresden, Berlin, and Leipzig, where Ryanair has already cut
flights for summer 2025,” said Dara Brady, Chief Marketing Officer at Ryanair.
“Unless the German government takes action now, Ryanair will be forced to
reduce winter 2025 capacity further, which will weaken connectivity and slow
the recovery of German tourism even more.”
Image
Credit: © AA
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