Germany’s planned reduction in air traffic tax has been cautiously welcomed by BARIG, but the airline association says the move falls well short of what is needed to restore the country’s competitiveness as an aviation market.
Following the German Federal Cabinet’s decision to lower the tax from 1 July 2026, the Board of Airline Representatives in Germany said the announcement brings “some light”, but that significant concerns remain.
BARIG is calling on the federal government to reduce the tax at least back to 2024 levels, as set out in the coalition agreement, and to introduce further relief measures beyond that.
BARIG chairman and executive director Michael Hoppe said the current geopolitical climate is already placing significant pressure on air travel, making Germany’s high state-imposed costs an even more serious issue. He warned that these costs have not only slowed growth, but have for years contributed to a gradual shift of traffic to other European countries. Passenger and cargo capacity remain under pressure, he said, weakening connectivity and damaging Germany’s export-oriented economy.
According to BARIG, aviation in Germany is trapped in a downward spiral created by excessive location costs, overregulation and unequal global competition. In most other European countries, the cost environment is considerably more competitive. Even after the planned tax reduction, the cost burden in Germany for a flight departing Europe would still be almost double the EU average.
BARIG said this has also recently been confirmed by an analysis from the German Airports Association (ADV), which described the situation as alarming. Over the medium to long term, the association warns, air travel in Germany will struggle to recover, prices will continue to rise and flying will become less affordable for more people.
The group argues that the federal government must act more decisively to strengthen Germany’s position as an aviation location in a sustainable way. It says the announced tax cut does not even restore rates to the level before the last increase in 2024, despite the coalition’s earlier commitment.
BARIG is therefore calling not only for a deeper reduction in air traffic tax, but also for urgent cuts to air navigation charges, aviation security fees and other state-imposed costs and levies.
