The opposition Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) is publicly urging airlines to proactively lower ticket prices before the coalition government’s planned reduction in aviation tax takes effect in June 2026. Stephan Stracke, the parliamentary group’s deputy chairman for transport, stated in a recent interview that a price reduction prior to the tax cut would be ideal, benefiting families and potentially stimulating the aviation sector.
Stracke’s call represents more than just a suggestion; it’s a pointed critique of the current market conditions and a challenge to the dominant position of airlines like Lufthansa. He argues that a price reduction, coupled with the impending tax relief, would send a positive signal to families relying on summer holidays and provide a welcome boost to an industry still recovering from pandemic-era challenges.
However, the demand is particularly directed towards Lufthansa, Germany’s largest airline, with Stracke explicitly requesting a review of their route network, including the reinstatement of previously cancelled flights. He emphasized that the benefits of reduced taxes and fees should directly translate into lower fares for passengers. “The ticket price must come down. This is what I expect from airlines, foremost Lufthansa” he asserted.
The call for action also highlights a potentially fraught political landscape. While the government’s planned tax reduction aims to ease the financial burden on airlines, the opposition is now leveraging the issue to pressure them into sharing the financial relief with consumers. The timing is strategically significant, placing pressure on airlines ahead of the 2026 tax reduction and potentially impacting public perception of both the government’s policy and the airlines’ conduct. Whether Lufthansa and other carriers will heed the call remains to be seen, but the public discourse risks exposing a gap between industry profitability and consumer affordability.
