Pecohub Lufthansa is warning it may cut flight routes from several German airports as rising aviation taxes and costs continue to impact profitability.
The airline’s chief executive, Jens Ritter, criticized the German government’s 2026 budget draft for failing to include relief for the aviation sector and said unprofitable connections would be reduced.
The airline has identified airports such as Bremen, Dresden, Cologne, Leipzig, Münster, Nuremberg and Stuttgart as at risk of losing routes.
Ritter said higher location costs in Germany, combined with increased air traffic taxes introduced in 2024, threaten Lufthansa’s competitiveness and could force the carrier to redeploy aircraft to more profitable markets.
Government Pledges and Aviation Taxes
In its coalition agreement, the governing parties had pledged to reduce aviation-specific taxes, fees and charges. They also promised to reverse the increase in the air traffic tax that took effect in May 2024. However, those commitments have not yet been implemented in the latest budget plans.
The 2024 tax hike raised short-haul ticket levies from €12.48 to €15.53, medium-haul from €31.61 to €39.34, and long-haul from €56.91 to €70.83. Lufthansa has long argued that such charges create a competitive disadvantage for flights departing from Germany compared with other European hubs.
Lufthansa’s Position
“If connections become unprofitable, we are forced to reduce routes and deploy the aircraft elsewhere,” said Jens Ritter, Lufthansa Chief Executive, in comments to the Funke media group. “The list of airports we must consider from a business perspective is long: Bremen, Dresden, Cologne, Leipzig, Münster, Nuremberg, Stuttgart – to name just a few.”
Ritter added, “It is very disappointing that the federal government is planning no relief for flights from Germany in the 2026 budget draft.” The German Finance Ministry has not commented publicly on Ritter’s remarks.
Lufthansa has previously warned that elevated costs for operating in Germany could drive capacity reductions. Industry observers note that secondary airports could face the greatest impact, with potential reductions in connectivity for regional travelers and businesses.
The airline remains one of Europe’s largest carriers and has emphasized that its strategic decisions will prioritize profitability while balancing service across its network. Any confirmed route cuts would further test Germany’s role as an international aviation hub.
