Translations:
Mehr Arbeitsplätze und Wohlstand durch die Erhöhung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der deutschen Luftfahrtbranche (pdf)

Berlin –The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a new study showing that a more competitive air transport sector in Germany could generate an additional €49 billion in GDP for the nation's economy and 400,000 new jobs by 2037.

The study, German Air Transport Regulatory Competitiveness Indicators, recommends that to maximize the economic and social benefits created by a successful air transport industry, Germany should:

  • Abolish the aviation passenger tax which is artificially increasing travel costs in Germany and hurting German aviation.
  • Improve air transport infrastructure capacity and efficiency in the air and on the ground.
  • Increase cost-efficiency of air traffic control services by promoting the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES) and cost-efficient structures such as automation, remote tower control and tendering of tower services.
  • Promote the implementation of innovative technology for border security and customs.
  • Implement the National Airspace Strategy in consultation with users to improve airspace capacity and efficiency.

Air transport's contribution to the German economy is already significant. The industry supports 1.1 million jobs and contributes €77.8 billion to the economy, accounting for roughly 2.5% of Germany's GDP. If the government adopts an agenda for competitiveness, 400,000 more jobs and €49 billion in additional GDP will be generated by 2037. In contrast, 200,000 jobs would be lost if German air transport competitiveness is not improved.

Also high on the aviation agenda is the environment. Governments around the world have agreed to implement the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) which will help the industry achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020. The industry is further committed to reducing carbon emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2050, in line with the goals of the Paris climate agreement. Progress has already been made: since 1990, CO2 emissions per passenger have been halved. Meeting the 2050 goal requires significant investment in sustainable aviation fuels and new hybrid-electric technologies. Germany's desire to be a champion of sustainability make it an ideal candidate to encourage these initiatives and to continue demonstrating climate leadership which would also create new economic opportunities.

"Germany is the second largest aviation market in Europe. A strong agenda for aviation competitiveness will foster air transport's already significant economic and social benefits here. But to do so Germany must address an extremely inefficient air traffic control system that is causing delays for passengers and generating unnecessary CO2 emissions. By embracing the National Airspace Strategy and reining in taxation, Germany could generate wealth and additional jobs from air transport. And if this is carried out in tandem with political support for sustainable aviation fuels and hybrid-electric technology, additional reductions in carbon emissions will be achieved," said Rafael Schvartzman, IATA's Regional Vice President for Europe.


For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org

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