For years, the aviation industry in Germany has been facing a challenging situation: high fees, charges and operating costs are all harming its competitiveness internationally. Around 1.5 million jobs in the country depend directly or indirectly on the aviation industry. It is essential to ensuring Germany’s economic strength, international connectivity and export performance.

To restore the country’s appeal as an aviation hub, the Federal Government has decided to reduce air passenger duty rates back to the level they were at before 1 May 2024, with effect from 1 July 2026.

At the coalition committee meeting on 13 November 2025, the governing coalition agreed on a comprehensive package of measures to bolster the aviation industry. The reduction in air passenger duty has now been implemented as part of this package of measures. The Bundestag passed the bill on 21 May 2026, and the Bundesrat approved it on 12 June 2026. The reduction in air passenger duty is therefore set to come into force on 1 July as planned.

A reduction of up to 11.40 euros

The decision allows for a reduction in duty rates for short-, medium- and long-haul flights of between 2.50 and 11.40 euros per passenger. In practical terms, this means

• a reduction from 15.53 to 13.03 euros for short-haul flights,
• from 39.34 to 33.01 euros for medium-haul flights,
• and from 70.83 to 59.43 euros for long-haul flights. 

The Federal Government is thus implementing a key measure set out in the coalition agreement: the strengthening of the aviation industry, as a key sector.

Impact on ticket prices: reducing air passenger duty could ease the financial burden and prevent further price rises. However, it is up to the companies involved to decide whether to pass on the savings in duty to customers.