Ryanair criticises German tourism strategy over high access costs

Germany

Airline calls for abolition of air travel tax to stimulate growth

Ryanair has sharply criticised Germany’s National Tourism Strategy, arguing that it fails to address what the airline describes as the country’s key competitiveness challenge: high aviation access costs.

Access costs seen as growth barrier

According to Ryanair, Germany continues to offer strong value for international visitors, supported by diverse destinations and tourism infrastructure. However, the airline maintains that elevated charges and taxes are limiting the recovery of inbound travel demand.

Passenger volumes, Ryanair notes, remain at 89 percent of pre-crisis levels. The carrier attributes this gap partly to airlines reallocating capacity toward markets with lower operating costs and reduced aviation taxation.

Call for tax reforms

Ryanair argues that an effective tourism strategy must be closely aligned with aviation policy. The airline considers the recent €3 reduction in Germany’s air travel tax insufficient, describing the levy as one of the highest in Europe.

The carrier is urging the German government to abolish the tax entirely. Ryanair states that its existing order of 300 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft would allow it to expand capacity at German airports, particularly in regional markets.

Competitiveness concerns

Germany’s long-standing position as a leading European destination is being undermined by high access costs, Ryanair argues. These include the air travel tax, air navigation charges and airport fees.

The airline contends that policy measures focused on reducing these cost components would strengthen traffic recovery and tourism growth.

Reference to other European markets

Ryanair points to examples such as Sweden, Hungary, Albania and regions in Italy, where governments have reduced or abolished aviation taxes and lowered airport charges to attract airline investment.

Expansion potential outlined

The airline states that meaningful cost reforms could enable Ryanair to double its traffic in Germany to 34 million passengers, station an additional 30 aircraft and support the creation of thousands of jobs.

CEO statement

“A National Tourism Strategy published without competitive access costs is a complete waste of time,” said Ryanair CEO Eddie Wilson.

“Aviation brings tourists, and until Germany addresses its high and uncompetitive access costs, this so-called strategy remains little more than rhetoric without concrete action. The document contains only a single paragraph on aviation access, without any meaningful recommendation to reduce costs in order to stimulate tourism growth.”

Wilson added that Germany should be among Europe’s leading destinations but risks losing capacity to more competitive markets where governments are actively lowering aviation taxes and charges.

“If the German government is serious about tourism recovery, it should abolish its damaging air travel tax – and do so without delay.”