Bisignani attacks Germany’s new airline tax

IATA yesterday slammed Germany’s planned new departure tax during the final day of the IATA AGM in Berlin. IATA estimates the new tax would add a €1 billion burden on Germany’s airline industry and would choke any recovery at a time when traffic in Europe is already stagnant.

IATA director general and CEO, Giovanni Bisignani, said the organisation intends to lobby the German government with a view to having the proposed tax revoked. “We had the same issue with the Dutch but they recognised that their tax cost €1.2 billion to their economy. The Dutch government was honest and transparent and we will be pleased to work together with the German government in a similar way and provide them with all the information that they need,” he said.

Lufthansa chairman Wolfgang Mayrhuber echoed Bisignani’s comments and confirmed the carrier would be active in lobbying its government in this regard, as well as on the issue of compensation for losses incurred during the airspace closure due to the volcanic ash cloud.

Lucy Siebert

Berlin, Germany