Germany aims to boost aviation sector with new 15-year strategy

By Klaus Lauer

BERLIN, June 9 (Reuters) - Germany's government aims to make the country a leading hub for sustainable, safe and competitive aviation under a new 15-year strategy that includes cutting costs, boosting research and speeding up the use of greener fuels, according to a draft document seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

The German cabinet is due to approve the strategy on Wednesday, which sets out short- and medium-term measures for civil and military aviation, aiming to provide greater planning certainty for policymakers, companies, the military and society.

The strategy rests on four pillars: economic competitiveness, technological competitiveness, aviation as a military technology and aviation as a civil security technology. 

It also seeks to prepare the industry for future crises and make aviation more climate-friendly.

A rapid ramp-up of sustainable aviation fuels is central to achieving climate targets, the draft says, adding that Berlin wants to support national and European production of those fuels as well as the infrastructure that is required.

The document says German aviation faces challenges including weak passenger growth compared with the rest of Europe, rising costs, international competition and geopolitical tensions.

The draft refers to the government coalition's plans to lower air traffic tax and control fees and streamline aviation security, while adding that implementation of the strategy is subject to the availability of the necessary budgetary funds.

(Reporting by Klaus Lauer; Writing by Maria Martinez; Editing by Paul Simao)