The German government is planning to reverse the increase in aviation tax implemented by the previous administration in May 2024. Discussions surrounding the 2026 budget are expected to formally address the rollback, a commitment already outlined in the coalition agreement.
Christoph Ploß, the government’s coordinator for tourism, emphasized the necessity of the change to maintain connections and support the travel sector. He stated that the aviation tax, alongside fees charged at German airports, must be reduced to prevent a further decline in flight routes.
The increase in aviation tax has impacted travel costs for many, particularly those who save for vacations. According to Ploß, the previous government’s levy has made holiday travel more expensive for millions of Germans. The tax increase varied depending on route length, with short-haul tickets rising from €12.48 to €15.53, medium-haul from €31.61 to €38.72 and long-haul from €56.91 to €70.83. This resulted in potential price increases of up to €12.77 per ticket.
Ploß cautioned that the higher costs could lead to the cancellation of flight routes both from Germany to popular destinations and vice versa. He underscored the need for strong airlines, efficient airports and a competitive aviation industry within Germany.
