BERLIN, 17 March 2016: The International Air Transport Association called on the German government to focus on improving the competitiveness of the German air transport sector.
“Aviation supports the German economy by underpinning 1.12 million jobs and EUR77 billion in GDP. But these benefits are under pressure because of onerous taxes, airport infrastructure challenges and the overall inefficiency of European air traffic management,” said, IATA’s director general and CEO, Tony Tyler.
Tyler made the comments at the opening of the World Air Cargo Symposium Wednesday in Berlin.
IATA called for the German government to abolish the EUR1 billion German departure tax.
“Adding EUR1 billion to the cost of connectivity with the departure tax is counter-productive. Removing it would support job creation, boost trade, and make Germany a more attractive destination for both tourism and business,” said Tyler.
He also called on Germany to end its 2010 ban on night flights at Frankfurt.
Address uncertainties over the opening of Berlin Brandenburg Airport: “After years of delays and cost overruns, full operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport are not expected to commence before the end of 2017 or even in 2018. To plan their businesses, airlines need clarity on the opening date and the costs that they will be expected to pay,” said Tyler.
European connectivity suffers under the inefficiencies of a fragmented air traffic management that leads to delays, increased costs and unnecessary carbon emissions.
Soon to be released IATA-commissioned research identifies that modernising European air traffic management would lead to the creation of 158,000 jobs and boost German GDP by EUR45 million in the year 2035.
“Sorting out European air traffic management holds a big prize for the German economy. Real value will be created for both business and consumers by leading European reforms in Germany’s aviation strategy,” said Tyler.