Tickets selling for under 20 euros was irresponsible and too low, Spohr said at an event in Berlin. The industry needed rising prices to finance greater investment and be more resilient to shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

Still, a recession was to be expected at this stage in Germany, the chief executive warned, which would dampen consumer demand.

(Reporting by Klaus Lauer; Writing by Victoria Waldersee; Editing by Bill Berkrot)