Ryanair reduces German routes, blames German government
October 15, 2024
Ryanair is to slash its summer 2025 services to Germany as it blames the government for high taxes and airport fees, with three airports pulled from the schedule and flights to Hamburg reduced by 60%.
Airports in Dortmund, Dresden and Leipzig will no longer be served by the Irish low-cost carrier, part of a reduction in 22 routes to various destinations. CEO of Ryanair DAC blamed this decision on the implication of rising taxes and airport fees, telling German broadcaster Deutsche Welle that “the refusal to promote growth at German airports is shortsighted, because Ryanair is prepared to expand considerably in Germany”.
In May this year, German taxes on flying increased by 19% to between €15.53 and €70.83 per passenger, a move sharply criticised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). “When Germany’s economic performance is anaemic at best, denting its competitiveness with more taxes on aviation is policy madness,” explained IATA director general Willie Walsh. “The government should be prioritising measures to improve Germany’s competitive position and encouraging trade and travel. Instead, they have gone for a short-term cash-grab which can only damage the economy’s long-term growth”.
German flag carrier Lufthansa has also expressed concern over the impact of increased aviation taxes, with CEO Carsten Spohr telling German newspaper Bild am Sonntag that he is “very concerned about the connectivity of [Lufthansa’s] business locations”.
“The extreme increase in state costs for air traffic is leading to a further decline in services,” concluded Spohr. “More and more airlines are avoiding German airports or cancelling important connections”.
