Many travelers assume that the cost of their plane ticket reflects the actual flight service — the seat, the fuel, and the airline’s operations.
In reality, only a fraction of the price goes to Lufthansa or other carriers. A growing portion of ticket costs is absorbed by government-imposed taxes, EU environmental charges, and airport fees.
Recent figures show that on some popular routes, up to 80 percent of the ticket price consists of levies unrelated to the airline’s earnings.
This shift is sparking frustration across the aviation industry, with airlines openly warning about job cuts and reduced service within Germany.
Breaking down the ticket price
For example, a flight from Frankfurt to London carries a base price of just €17. After surcharges and fees, the final price jumps to €93. Where does the money go?
- Air traffic tax: Increased by 20% in 2024.
- Air traffic control fees: Rose by another 20% in 2025.
- Take-off and landing charges: In some airports, up by 40%.
- Ground handling fees: Adjusted upward, e.g., Frankfurt raised them by 5.7%.
- EU environmental levy: Newly introduced, adding between €1 and €72 per ticket.
These additions have transformed flying in Germany into one of the most heavily taxed forms of travel in Europe.
Airlines fight back
Lufthansa’s CEO, Jens Ritter, expressed disappointment with Berlin’s fiscal plans for 2026, pointing out that no relief for the sector is on the horizon.
Ryanair’s Eddie Wilson went further, branding Germany “the worst-performing aviation market in Europe” due to its heavy-handed taxation compared to other EU countries that impose little or no air traffic tax.
As a consequence, both major carriers and budget airlines are scaling back. Lufthansa is reviewing its network for possible downsizing, while Ryanair has already withdrawn from certain German airports.
Smaller regional airports such as Kassel-Calden are suffering the most: only 35 flights departed during the summer season, forcing the government to subsidize the airport with €20 million just to keep it operational.
A looming crisis for regional airports
The pressure is not limited to small hubs. Larger secondary airports — including Bremen, Dresden, Cologne, Leipzig, Münster, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart — are now on the watchlist.
With Lufthansa openly warning of potential cuts, these locations may face the same fate as Kassel, where operations have dwindled to near irrelevance.
Industry insiders caution that without regulatory adjustments or tax relief, Germany risks losing both regional connectivity and international competitiveness. For passengers, this likely means fewer choices, higher prices, and reduced accessibility in the years ahead.
