Germany calls for pan-EU air tax

Germany's Transport Minister, Peter Ramsauer, has proposed the country's new air passenger tax should be extended to other European Union countries to level the playing field (Handelsblatt, 20-Jul-2010). German authorities intend to charge passengers according to the distance travelled, which will be between EUR13 and EUR26. Lufthansa and Air Berlin have staunchly opposed the tax, with the latter stating it might be forced to shift operations to nearby airports in Austria, Swizterland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands to avoid the tax. [more]