Ryanair Threatens to Cut 1.5 Million Seats in Germany Over 'Broken' Air Travel Market

Ryanair called on the German Government to urgently cut its sky-high air access costs by reversing the recent 24% increase in Aviation Tax (and ultimately abolish it) or lose another 10% of Ryanair’s German capacity (1.5 million seats) for Summer 2025. Whilst other EU markets, such as Hungary, Italy, Poland, and Sweden, are cutting or abolishing their Aviation Taxes, Germany’s Aviation Tax, which recently increased by 24%, is the second highest in the EU and is damaging Germany’s air travel industry. Germany’s air travel recovery lags far behind the rest of Europe at just 82% of its pre-Covid levels – the lowest in Europe.

In addition, to scrapping the Aviation Tax, Ryanair also called on the Govt. to urgently reduce its soaring ATC charges, which have doubled since 2019, and defer the 50% increase in Security Fees, scheduled for January 2025. These very high Govt fees continue to damage German air travel, tourism, its economy, and consumers, and only serve to prop up Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly. If Germany won’t reduce these high and damaging air travel taxes/fees, then Ryanair will further cut capacity by 1.5m seats in Germany for Summer 2025 and switch this capacity to other lower cost EU countries like Italy, Poland, Spain, and Portugal.

Ryanair's CEO Eddie Wilson Calls for Urgent Fix in Germany's Air Travel Market

Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson said: “Germany’s air travel market is broken and needs an urgent fix. Germany has only recovered 82% of its pre-Covid traffic which is by far the worst performance of any EU State. As a result of these high Govt taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe.

Ryanair again calls on the German Govt. to cut its very high aviation taxes and fees. If these very high taxes are not reduced, Ryanair will cut another 1.5m seats from its German capacity (-10%) for Summer 2025. These reductions will further damage inbound tourism, and Germany’s post-Covid recovery, whilst other competitor EU States, with much lower or zero aviation taxes/fees, enjoy the benefit of traffic growth which is being switched from high cost uncompetitive Germany.”

Ryanair's Threat to Cut Services in Germany

Ryanair has threatened to cut services to and from Germany, equivalent to around 1.5m seats in 2025, if its plea to the government isn't met. The reason for the possible cuts is that the airline is not happy paying what it sees as ‘sky high’ aviation tax, currently around €15.53 per passenger.

The budget airline Ryanair has announced a partial withdrawal from Germany. The airline justifies this by saying that the costs of air traffic in Germany are very high and remaining completely on the German market would be too expensive for the airline. To prevent a withdrawal, Ryanair is demanding a reduction in the recently increased air traffic tax. If this demand is not met, the Irish airline intends to reduce its offer by 10 percent, reports the portal Aero.de.

Figures from the airline suggest that Germany’s air travel has been slow to return to pre-pandemic levels, especially when compared with EU countries that don’t levy such a charge.

Ryanair's Demand for Lower Air Fares

Ryanair is calling for lower air fares in Germany. The airline says that the German government should cut its high aviation taxes and fees. If the government doesn't do this, Ryanair will cut its service to Germany by 10%. This will be equal to 1.5 million seats. The airline also said that this will further damage inbound tourism and Germany's post-Covid recovery.

Ryanair has called on the German government to reduce its aviation tax. The airline said that the tax is the second highest in the EU and that it is damaging the German air travel market. Ryanair also said that the German government should reduce air traffic control charges and security fees. The airline said that these fees are too high and that they are making it difficult for the airline to operate in Germany.

The airline’s CEO Eddie Wilson said: “Germany’s air travel market is broken and needs an urgent fix. Germany has only recovered 82% of its pre-Covid traffic which is by far the worst performance of any EU State. As a result of these high Govt taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe.