Germany’s proposed green tax is the “worst kind”, says IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has branded Germany’s recently announced €1bn annual environmental tax as “the worst kind of short-sighted policy”. “It’s a cash-grab by a cash-strapped government. Painting it green adds insult to injury. There will be no environmental benefit from the economic damage caused,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO at IATA’s annual general meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Berlin. Bisignani called for a global approach and for support of the European aviation community rather than further “burden”. He added: “The Dutch government tried to raise €300m with a similar tax. It cost the Dutch economy €1.2bn in lost business. It also failed as an environmental measure, sending travellers across the border to start their journey from more tax-sensible regimes. The Dutch had the good sense to repeal their tax. Why repeat past mistakes?”
