Speeches

Mr President! The aviation industry is in a perpetual crisis. Corona has caused two-thirds of all flights to be cancelled. But the problems of the aviation industry go deeper. The industry has been unhealthy for years. Airlines are trying to outdo each other with dumping prices to the detriment of employees and the climate. The aviation industry will also have to change massively due to the climate crisis. It is shameful that Lufthansa boss Spohr flatly rejects necessary climate regulations and at the same time expects Lufthansa to be rescued by the state in every crisis. While many airlines have been supported by rescue packages without significant restrictions, employees are suffering from fears for the future. For us greens it is clear: The crisis in the aviation industry must not be carried out on the backs of employees. During Corona, more than 7,000 flight connections were cancelled. Many airlines have broken applicable laws and have done everything they can to ensure that passengers are not reimbursed for their ticket costs or are only reimbursed late. This has been very impressively demonstrated by the European Court of Auditors in a report: No clear contacts, hours of queues and misguided forms. Instead of standing with customers, 15 Member States have even created special rules for airlines. We criticize the Greens. The Directive on the strengthening of air passenger rights has been blocked for years from the capitals, including by the German Federal Government. It is time to end the blockade and finally enforce customer rights.