Airline chief unveils plans for increased airfare costs
The German aviation sector is expressing annoyance towards the traffic light coalition due to enhanced fees and taxes. As a result, the president of the BDL is suggesting an upsurge in airfare. He's outlined three petitions for the new administration.
Airline leader Jens Bischof predicts an upsurge in airfare for flights. "German departures and arrivals will witness a significant price hike," stated Bischof to Funke media group newspapers. Though the increased air traffic tax implemented in May has been factored in, airport security check fees cap will increase from 10 to 15 euros per traveler from January. Additionally, discussions about a substantial hike in air traffic management cost are underway. The air traffic management losses during the pandemic years will also be transferred to customers. "Airlines can only pass these burdens onto their patrons. Margins are already slim, averaging only five to ten euros per traveler," Bischof informed the newspapers. The precise extent of the price increase is unclear. "We're consulting politics on cost-reducing measures," Bischof, who is also Eurowings CEO, mentioned.
The Elimination of Air Traffic Tax would be Perceptible to Customers
Bischof directed three demands at the incoming administration. "Firstly: The air traffic tax must be scrapped without alternative." The current burden exceeds two billion euros annually. "Secondly: The national solo push for the E-kerosene quota must cease. And thirdly, the increased security check fees must be lowered," Bischof listed. The annulment of the air traffic tax would be promptly apparent to patrons, promised the aviation sector leader, referring to effects seen in Sweden, the fourth EU country, which suspended the air traffic tax. "We witness a clear correlation between the ban on this tax and the ensuing increase in offers."
According to the aviation industry, 200 domestic, international, and internal flights in Germany have been terminated in the past five years. "In 2019, there were almost 1,800 routes serviced from, to, and within Germany, totaling 1.7 million flights. Now, there are only about 1,600 routes remaining," Bischof summarized. The number of flights has decreased to approximately 1.4 million. "The location costs for aviation in Germany have doubled due to state taxes and fees since 2019," Bischof criticized.
The Commission has expressed no explicit stance on Bischof's demands, but they remain a significant point of discussion within the aviation sector. Should the Commission decide to eliminate the air traffic tax as suggested by Bischof, passengers could experience a noticeable reduction in flight prices.
