Germany’s coalition government has announced a series of relief measures for the aviation sector, including a reduction in air ticket taxes from July 2026 — reversing an increase introduced by the previous administration.
The Merz government confirmed that the 20 per cent hike in air passenger duty, imposed last year, will be rolled back. Industry groups including airline association IATA, low-cost carriers EasyJet and Ryanair, and the German travel buyer body VDR had criticised the rise, saying it raised access costs and contributed to flight capacity cuts in the market.
Under the new plan, air ticket taxes will fall by €3 to €14 per passenger, depending on the route. The largest cut applies to long-haul travel, where the tax will drop from €70.83 to €58.06.
The government will also phase in a more than 10 per cent reduction in air traffic control fees by 2029, alongside lower costs for passenger security screening — two measures expected to ease pressure on airlines at a time of rising operational expenses.
VDR welcomed the announcements, calling them “a step in the right direction for businesses, mobility, and Germany as a business location.” The association said the changes would provide “urgently needed planning certainty” and help ensure business travel “remains efficient, attractive and well-connected.”
The move comes as the German aviation market continues to rebuild capacity following the pandemic, with carriers warning that high taxes and airport charges risk undermining the country’s competitiveness as a European travel hub.