Bundestag members in Germany will now be required to fly economy class on short business trips, a change from their previous practice of flying business class. The decision to implement this new rule was made by the Bundestag’s presidium, elders’ council, and parliamentary group directors to reduce expenses related to official trips. This change will apply to the 735 members of the Bundestag for flights lasting less than four hours. According to Bundestag President Bärbel Bas, this decision is part of an effort to lower costs associated with official travel. The move comes in response to the significant increase in expenses for official trips in the first half of the current legislative term, totaling nearly seven million euros for 956 trips between October 26, 2021, and September 30, 2023.
The decision to switch from business to economy class on shorter flights within Europe is expected to result in significant cost savings, with the Bundestag administration estimating potential savings of roughly half the expenses. Previously, members of the Bundestag typically flew in business class, but they will now need to adhere to the new economy class policy. However, to enhance the travel experience, members will still have the option to purchase access to business lounges and expedited security checks at airports when available. Additionally, for domestic travel within Germany, members will have the option to forego flights altogether, as they will receive a complimentary German Railways BahnCard 100 as part of their travel benefits.
The decision to implement this new rule is aimed at addressing the significant increase in expenses for official trips observed in the first half of the current legislative term. The total costs for 956 trips during this period amounted to nearly seven million euros, including flight and hotel expenses. Despite the absence of data for the fourth quarter of 2023, total costs for the year were already at approximately 3.7 million euros, surpassing the total expenses for the entire year of 2022, which stood at around 3.1 million euros. The decision to enforce economy class travel for shorter flights is expected to contribute to reducing expenditure on official travel within the Bundestag.
The new rule requiring Bundestag members to fly economy class on flights under four hours will introduce significant changes to their travel arrangements, particularly on trips within Europe. While this change is expected to yield substantial cost savings, members will have the option to enhance their travel experience by purchasing access to business lounges and expedited security checks at airports where available. Additionally, for domestic travel within Germany, members will be provided with a complimentary German Railways BahnCard 100 as part of their travel benefits. This decision reflects efforts to streamline expenses related to official travel and ensure efficient use of resources within the Bundestag.
In response to the rising costs of official trips within the Bundestag, the decision to enforce economy class travel for flights under four hours represents a significant shift in the travel policy for members. The move is intended to address the increasing expenses for official trips observed in the first half of the current legislative term, with total costs reaching nearly seven million euros for 956 trips. By requiring members to fly economy class on shorter flights, the Bundestag aims to achieve cost savings while still providing opportunities for members to enhance their travel experience through optional upgrades to business lounges and expedited security checks at airports. Additionally, members will have the option to utilize their complimentary BahnCard 100 for domestic travel within Germany, further contributing to cost-effective travel solutions within the Bundestag.
