A bad surprise for business travellers. Air France made a fare adjustment on 24 October. The airline had already anticipated the increase in solidarity tax by the French government. Ticket prices are once again fluctuating to reflect this increase.
Air France has decided to apply a scale as defined by the amendment tabled by the government as part of the Finance Bill 2025. This provision also includes the company's low-cost subsidiary, Transavia.
In the amendment, the solidarity tax increases according to a pre-defined scale which Air France applies to the letter.
- for domestic flights (including French overseas departments), intra-EU flights and flights within the EEA, the amount collected in respect of the solidarity tax on airline tickets is increased from 2,63€ à 9,5€ for Economy and Premium cabins and 20,27€ à 30€ for the Business cabin.
- for flights of less than 5,500 km, the tax should reach 15 instead of €7.51 for Economy and Premium cabins and 80 instead of €63.07 for Business and La Première cabins.
- for all flights over 5,500 km, the amount collected should rise from €7.51 to €40 for Economy and Premium cabins and from €63.07 to €120 for Business and La Première cabins.
Refund in the event of a lower price increase or cancellation
Air France explained its decision by the fact that having to pay the French State an uncollected tax would represent a loss of several tens of millions of euros. To avoid this situation, Air France has anticipated this increase. And it has done so without waiting for the final adoption of the Finance Bill.
However, in the event of a change to the scale, or the abandonment or rejection of the amendment, the company promises to proceed with an adjustment. to ensure that the amount collected is equal to the amount actually due in respect of the TSBA. This would be equivalent to a refund for passengers.
