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France to raise tax on air travel in March

The rise in a so-called 'solidarity tax' beginning in March will see economy class short-haul flights departing from France for destinations within Europe increase from 2.63 euros to 7.40 euros, while tax on medium-haul routes will rise to 15 euros, and on long distance flights it will climb to 40 euros.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

The cost of flights from France will rise next month when the government more than doubles its “solidarity tax” on tickets, reports The Guardian.

The French government has said the increases are fair on ecological and fiscal grounds but critics say it will hit France’s ability to compete globally.

Airlines are expected to pass the cost of the tax hike on to passengers but Air France has estimated it will cost the company about €100m (£83m) at a time when the airline is recovering from Covid losses. Ryanair has threatened to reduce flights to and from the country’s airports.

The measure is part of the 2025 budget bill aimed at reducing France’s spiralling deficit, which the prime minister, François Bayrou, forced through parliament without a vote.

The tax on an economy class short-haul flight within France or Europe will increase from €2.63 to €7.40 on flights departing from France.

The charge for an economy class medium-haul flight will rise to €15 and for long distance – more than 5,500km – to €40. The tax on business and first-class tickets also increases to €30 for short-haul, €80 for medium-haul and €120 for long-haul flights. Private jets will have their charges increased to between €220 and €2,100.

Flights to Corsica and France’s overseas territories are exempt from the tax increases.

Read more of this report from The Guardian.