BERLIN/FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - German airports handled significantly fewer passengers in April compared to the previous year. According to the ADV airport association, the 9.2 percent decline to approximately 16.7 million travelers was driven by the conflict in the Middle East and crew strikes at Lufthansa.
Industrial action by pilots and flight attendants at Germany's flagship carrier alone is estimated to have cost around one million passengers. Flight cancellations resulting from the Middle East crisis deterred a further 400,000 people from flying, according to a special survey. An additional 250,000 passengers were lost as airlines cut flights in response to high kerosene prices. This trend is expected to persist in the coming months.
Germany has been particularly hard hit by these external shocks, said ADV Managing Director Ralph Beisel. 'On top of global crises, we face self-inflicted burdens inherent to a high-tax location. Airlines are reacting decisively by reducing supply and cutting routes.'
He called on the federal government to provide relief for airlines and airports. 'In the short term, an immediate suspension of the aviation tax is required; in the medium term, it must at least be halved.'/ceb/DP/zb
