Abstract: The removal of cooling air from the diffuser part of a radial end stage of a compressor of a gas turbine is provided. Compressed air is removed via a cooling air discharge (10) from a radial compressor stage, which comprises a rotor disk (2) and a bladed diffuser (20). The removal of cooling air may be brought about such that the cooling air is removed on one side through openings (6) on the housing side (20.1) of the diffuser (20) and is fed through cooling air channels (10) to the parts in contact with hot gas, including the outer wall of the bifurcated tube (17). The compressed air is guided to the diffuser outside (20.2) through cooling air holes (19) in the diffuser blade (3).