Ryanair has revealed plans to reduce its capacity in Germany this winter, following earlier route cuts in Spain and Belgium. The move will affect 24 routes across nine German airports, reducing the airline’s carrying capacity by 800,000 for the season, and comes amid a tax dispute with the German Government. Ryanair is urging Germany’s transport minister to lower the access costs for air travel in the country, claiming that these costs are exacerbating the “monopoly” that Lufthansa, a native German airline, allegedly holds in the region.
The budget airline has warned the German government that it will relocate this cut capacity to other EU countries if the 24% aviation tax increase introduced in May 2024 is not reversed and air traffic control charges are not reduced. Speaking from Berlin, Ryanair’s CMO, Dara Brady, expressed his disappointment: “It is very disappointing that the newly elected German government has already failed to deliver on their commitment to reduce the regressive aviation tax and sky-high access costs which are crippling Germany’s aviation sector.
“As a result, Ryanair has been left with no choice but to reduce our Winter ’25 capacity by over 800,000 seats and cancel 24 routes across 9 high-cost German airports.
“This completely avoidable loss of connectivity will bring our capacity below Winter ’24 levels and will have a devastating impact on German connectivity, jobs, and tourism.”
Ryanair has issued a stark warning to the government, stating that Germany’s air traffic will continue to dwindle unless it can compete with other European nations.
However, the airline also suggested that if ministers were to cut costs, Ryanair could potentially double its traffic and create over 1,000 new jobs in Germany.
Germany is a popular tourist destination during the winter months, thanks to its famous Christmas markets and the picturesque, snow-covered landscapes of the Black Forest.
This news from Ryanair follows closely on the heels of their announcement of a 16% reduction in carrying capacity in Spain. The airline disclosed in September that this was due to a disagreement over airport taxes.
In late August, Ryanair cut its traffic to Brussels Airport by 6% citing “high” airport costs as the reason.
CEO Michael O’Leary also stated that the airline would not be undertaking any growth projects in Belgium this winter due to additional tariffs.