U.S Airlines Challenges German Departure Tax
The industry trade organization for the leading US airlines, Airlines for America (A4A) has filed a complaint against the German Transport Tax, which illegally charges an amount of 45 Euros (approximately $59) per passenger for serving the country
This huge tax exists since January 2011, and charges the US flights with the highest of three tax brackets, which has inflicted by the scheme.
A4A and other members have filed a complaint against the tax and pursued for the legal action, because the tax violates various long-standing international agreements, which also include Chicago Convention, the German Constitution, and US-EU Open Skies Agreement.
A4A facilitates a legal complaint with the German Fiscal Court in Kassel and provides a statement, which says that Germany cannot randomly close their budget gap on the US Airlines and their passengers’ backs, because they have paid the taxes already at an excessive rate. This is just a short-sighted cash grasp, which harms the Germany’s economy, than any short term benefit that the tax revenue may bring the country’s economy.
A detailed complaint will be filed with the German Fiscal Court within the next two months, during the same time it urges for a referral of the case to the German Federal Constitution Court.
