The German parliamentary group of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) has indicated openness to a reduction in the aviation tax, aimed at alleviating pressure on the aviation industry and bolstering its international competitiveness. Armand Zorn, SPD’s deputy parliamentary group leader, told “Der Stern” that a decrease in the tax would represent a sensible step from both an economic and transport policy perspective.
However, Zorn cautioned that limited fiscal space exists within the current budget situation. Any potential tax relief would necessitate robust counter-funding measures. As a vice parliamentary group leader responsible for tourism and transport, he emphasized the importance of developing concrete and sustainable proposals.
This sentiment echoes earlier calls from Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz, who recently advocated for significant relief for the aviation sector within the Bundestag. Merz argued that reducing the burden on German air travel is crucial to ensuring its commercial viability within the international marketplace. The CDU had previously floated the idea of lowering the aviation tax during the summer.
The increase in the aviation tax was initially implemented by the governing coalition following repeated failures within the transport sector to meet climate protection targets and in response to a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court that created a shortfall in the budget. Germany now faces potential fines of billions of euros due to failing to meet EU climate goals for the transport sector.
