High taxes and fees have made German airports too expensive for many airlines to operate. Airline Ryanair has withdrawn its planes from Berlin threatening to reconsider its Germany base if costs can't be lowered.

Berlin

High costs at German airports impact airline operations

Major airline Ryanair has announced the withdrawal of its planes from Berlin’s airport, citing high taxes and fees as a barrier to cost-effective operation. Ryanair has indicated that these financial burdens are a significant reason why German airports are less competitive compared to other European cities. The company has stated it may reconsider maintaining its base in Germany if costs are not reduced.

Ryanair’s manager, Eddie Wilson, described how taxes and security standards have raised the cost of flying in Germany. According to Wilson, fees for a typical 150-passenger aircraft in Frankfurt are over 4,000 euros—substantially more than some European cities, such as Dublin, where charges can be less than a tenth of that amount.

The airline believes these pricing differences could lead to fewer passengers and decreased air traffic in German cities. Ryanair, which currently operates a fleet of 350 aircraft, suggested that high costs might prompt the company to move its operations elsewhere. Airports have echoed concerns about these financial pressures, noting that high taxes could reduce business and accessibility for German cities.



High costs render German airports uncompetitive

At Berlin's airport, no airline offers more flights than Ryanair, but the company says that Berlin has become too expensive. They're moving planes out. Ryanair manager Eddie Wilson says generally taxes and fees are too high in Germany, a reason why the country is lagging behind European competitors with regards to air travel. So you now have Berlin, the capital city of the largest economy in Europe, their airport in total has less passengers than Dublin airport, the capital city of one of the smallest economies in Europe. That's telling you something. Heightened security standards at check-in as well as a tax increase have made operating in Germany expensive for airlines. For a regular plane with 150 passengers, airlines are paying over 4,000 euros in fees in Frankfurt, much more than in other European cities, some of which, like Dublin, charge less than a tenth of that. These huge discrepancies within Europe could lead to German cities getting less traffic in future. Ryanair says they might leave the country entirely if costs don't drop. We've got these 350 aircraft, where are they likely to go? And at the moment, the sign is up in Germany to say we don't want any of those aircraft. Air travel and accessibility, however, are important for German cities to attract business. The problem is well known. Airports, too, have criticized the high level of taxes putting pressure on the industry.

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