Berlin, Germany — Airlines are increasingly withdrawing aircraft from Germany as soaring state-imposed costs take their toll, the German Aviation Association (BDL) warned on Monday. The reduction in planes based in the country threatens to inflict significant economic damage, including job losses and decreased economic output.
The number of aircraft stationed in Germany has dropped sharply from 190 in 2019 to just 130 this year, a decline that BDL estimates will lead to the loss of approximately 10,000 jobs and reduce annual economic value added by around 4 billion euros ($4.66 billion).
“Since 2019, state-imposed costs have more than doubled, and airlines are increasingly avoiding Germany,” said Jens Bischof, President of BDL. He urged the government to focus on supporting the aviation sector’s recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Industry leaders have criticized Berlin’s decision to delay a planned reduction in aviation tax, arguing that reversing the increase scheduled for May 2024 would have demonstrated essential support for struggling carriers.
The aviation sector faces rising state levies this year, including taxes, air traffic control fees, and security charges, projected to increase by 1.1 billion euros, reaching a total of 4.4 billion euros. These financial pressures are hindering the industry’s rebound.
Passenger numbers in Germany grew by only 3 percent in the first half of the year, reaching 99.4 million, significantly below the 10 percent growth recorded during the same period last year.
Germany ranks 28th out of 31 European countries in post-pandemic aviation recovery, with seat capacity at just 87 percent of 2019 levels. This is well below the European average, where seat capacity has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels at 104 percent.
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