The rejection of the budget and the fall of the Barnier government had frozen the application of the an increase in the solidarity tax on airline tickets (TSBA). The Bayrou government has since set about putting it back in the saddle.
The Joint Committee, made up of seven MPs and seven senators, finally confirmed the return of the increase in the tax. The CMP reached a compromise between the Barnier government's heavy-handed version and the senators' lighter version.
If the French government's budget is not censured, the increase in the solidarity air tax would take effect at the beginning of March. The TSBA would thus rise to 7.30 euros compared with 2.63 euros currently available for flights in France and Europe. However, with exceptions for flights to Corsica, the French Overseas Departments and Territories or for regional development flights.
Devastating effect expected
On the announcement of the results of the CMP concerning the TSBA, Thomas Juin, Chairman of the Union des Aéroports Français, said : "This decision is economically irresponsible. It threatens the vitality of our regional airports and the connectivity of our regions and overseas collectivities. The French government has failed to understand that air transport is an essential vector of economic growth for the country.. Unlike many other European countries, it has chosen to punish us with unreasonable taxation that will weaken the French aviation sector, the tourist industry and make our regions less accessible".
For its part, Air France has also condemned the measure. "It's irresponsible", underlines Ben Smith, the boss of Air France KLMWe are very critical of this increase, which should encourage passengers to fly outside France.
Not only that, the TSBA is increasing, but this will be in parallel with the increase in the Security and Safety Tariff (T2S). According to the French airline industry, the increase will have a disastrous impact. In particular on the economic and social development of the French regions. The most isolated regions will suffer the most from this tax increase. The FNAM (Fédération Nationale de l'Aviation et de ses Métiers) and theUAF believe that the departure of many low-cost airlines to foreign hubs is possible. If the budget is adopted, this tax will come into force on March 1...
