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Paris plans 'eco tax' levy on flights leaving French airports

French transport minister Elisabeth Borne has announced that France will impose as of 2020 an 'eco tax' on airline passenger's flight costs for travel leaving France, ranging from 1.5 euros on inter-Europe destinations to 18 euros for business class passengers travelling beyond EU countries, and which is intended to fund investment in less polluting travel.

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France is set to introduce an "eco-tax" for all flights from French airports, the government has said, reports BBC News.

The tax is expected to raise about 180 million euros ($202m; £162m) from 2020, said transport minister Elisabeth Borne.

The amount of the tax will depend on the type of ticket being bought.

Economy class tickets on flights within France or the EU will have a tax of 1.5 euros imposed. Business class tickets for flights out of the EU will have the highest tariff of up to 18 euros.

"We have decided to put in place an eco-tax on all flights from France," Ms Borne said during a news conference on Tuesday.

The tax will only apply to outgoing flights and not to those flying into the country.

Ms Borne said the money raised by the tax will be invested in in less-polluting transport, such as rail.

The French government has tried to tighten environmental regulation, but last year abandoned its plans for fuel tax rises after the widespread protests from the "yellow vests" ("gilets jaunes").

Read more of this report from BBC News.