German aviation tax comes into force

German passenger carriers have been left reeling, as the national government implemented a new levy on flight tickets.

Initially announced earlier this year, the charge will add €8 to tickets to 52 European destinations, €25 to 50 airports in Asia and Africa, and €45 to all other destinations.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government confirmed the tax will be imposed on all flights out of the country from January 1st 2011, including tickets booked from today.

The levy is part of a proposed budget designed to save the German exchequer €80 billion in the period to 2014.

Finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said timing was crucial: “We are implementing the measure with immediate effect following today’s Cabinet resolution.

“Otherwise, there will be a rush in ticket-buying aimed at pre-empting the tax,” he added.

The tax has been greeted with hostility from Lufthansa and Air Berlin – the two largest carriers in the country.

In a statement Lufthansa said: “Such unilateral action will weaken Germany as a base for the aviation industry, and will massively distort competition.

Source: BTN

03.09.10