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VW bosses forced to pay back private jet costs

Bosses at troubled German auto giant Volkswagen have been forced to pay the company back millions of euros for flights on its private jets, the Bild am Sonntag newspaper reported Sunday.

Published: 4 December 2016 16:05 CET

VW bosses forced to pay back private jet costs

For years members of the group's executive board were offered flights aboard its fleet of private jets at or below the price of a commercial trip.

But by 2014 directors' use of the planes for personal travel – including family holidays — had grown so extensive that Ferdinand Piech, then chairman of the supervisory board, demanded they pay back millions in costs.

They included chief executive Martin Winterkorn, who later stepped down over the automaker's admission that it had installed software to fool regulatory emissions tests in 11 million cars worldwide.

Among others presented with a bill — which in some cases exceeded one million euros ($1.1 million) — were Hans-Dieter Poetsch, now chairman of the supervisory board, and Rupert Stadler, chief executive of VW subsidiary Audi.

VW bosses have lost other benefits including subsidised rents on their homes, while there are stricter limits on the use of chauffeured company cars for private travel, Bild am Sonntag reports.

Executives continue to enjoy free private jet flights home at the weekend from the firm's HQ in Wolfsburg, northern Germany.

Two hospitalized in Munich after activist crashes parachute into Euro 2020 stadium

The activist lands on the turf of the Allianz Arena. credit: dpa | Christian Charisius

The pilot flew over the pitch just before kick-off in the Group F clash with “Kick out oil” written on the canopy of his parachute.

However, when the pilot hit television cables above the pitch, it knocked his microlight off balance and he landed on the turf after clipping one of the stands, where the casualties happened.

The activist was arrested soon after landing.

A Munich police spokesman told AFP that at least two people suffered head injuries and “both had to be taken to hospital, we don’t know yet how serious the injuries are”.

The police spokesman said the activist appears to have escaped injury, but “we are considering various criminal charges. Munich police has zero understanding for political actions that put lives at risk”.

UEFA also slammed the botched stunt.

“This inconsiderate act – which could have had very serious consequences for a huge number of people attending – caused injuries to several people attending the game who are now in hospital and law authorities will take the necessary action,” European football’s governing body said in a statement.

The parachutist above the stadium. Photo: dpa | Matthias Balk

“The staging of the match was fortunately not impacted by such a reckless and dangerous action, but several people were injured nonetheless.”

The stunt was a protest against German car manufacturer Volkswagen, one of the sponsors of the European Championship, Greenpeace explained in a Twitter post.

“UEFA and its partners are fully committed to a sustainable Euro 2020 tournament and many initiatives have been implemented to offset carbon emissions,” said UEFA.

Greenpeace said they regretted any harm caused.

“This protest was never intended to disrupt the game or hurt people,” read a Twitter post on Greenpeace’s official German account.

“We hope that everyone is OK and that no one was seriously injured. Greenpeace actions are always peaceful and non-violent.”

“Unfortunately, not everything went according to plan.”

READ MORE: Climate activists rage as Germany opts for drawn-out coal exit

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