Overview

• Union and SPD agreed in their coalition contract to unwind the May 2024 levy and cut aviation-specific taxes and fees in next year’s spending plan.
• The Federal Finance Ministry says any reduction remains conditional on the government’s tight fiscal position and financing constraints.
• Tourism industry representatives warn the higher rates have pushed up ticket prices and risk making vacations unaffordable for millions of German travelers.
• The May 2024 adjustment raised levies from €12.48 to €15.53 for short-haul, €31.61 to €39.34 for medium-haul, and €56.91 to €70.83 for long-haul flights.
• In 2024 the air traffic tax yielded about €1.9 billion and was designed to curb flight numbers and related carbon emissions.