Tourexpi
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.”
Image
Credit: © Ryanair
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