There is a great deal of concern, incomprehension and mobilisation in the skies over France. The cause, of course, is the new tax envisaged by the government to replenish its coffers as part of the Finance Bill. Through the FNAM (Fédération nationale de l'aviation et de ses métiers) and theUAF (Union of French Airports), the sector was keen to have its say on Monday morning. For two hours, their respective chairmen Pascal de Izaguirre and Thomas Juin tried to "find a solution to the problem". putting the church back at the centre of the village "As the head of the FNAM puts it...
One of the main aims of the speech was to challenge certain preconceived ideas underlying this new taxation plan. For Pascal de IzaguirreThese include Dispelling the myth that the airline sector is not taxed, or is insufficiently taxed ". This is particularly true in comparison with our European neighbours, with the speakers pointing out that 20 European countries do not apply any specific tax to the air transport sector, including Sweden, which has just abandoned it. Another preconceived idea rejected by those in charge of the French skies was that "air transport is only for the rich". A " unbearable caricature "for Pascal de Izaguirre, who believes that the sociology of air passengers is comparable to that of TGV passengers.
The logic behind the introduction of this new tax, as well as being unfounded for those in charge of the French airline industry, would also prove to be dangerous and even counter-productive. The President of the FNAM warns: " We will have no choice but to pass on the increase in ticket prices, but we risk suffering a negative impact because the intensity of competition means that we may have to make an extra effort to absorb this tax. ". And Pascal de Izaguirre points to the example of Air France: " The TSBA (solidarity tax on airline tickets) will affect French airlines to the tune of 37%, and 30% will concern Air France alone. (...) " 63% will be borne by the other airlines, but there are around 300 of them... ".
For the FNAM and UAF, it is therefore difficult not to fear a transfer to foreign hubs, base closures - as the example ofeasyJet in Toulouse - and outright cancellations on some lines. For Thomas Juin, the Finance Bill is a direct threat to the regions. " If we attack domestic or short-haul flights, we can expect to see airlines closed down, with a consequent loss of jobs in the French regions. ".
The President of the UAF also invites us to consider the consequences of the fall in passenger numbers on? tax receipts. " Which is paradoxical, given the desire to tax our sector even more! The least we can do is calculate the impact of the loss of activity, because it will happen. 1% fewer passengers in France means €100 million less in tax revenue for the State. ".
As for the environmental aspect, industry leaders are sceptical, to say the least, about the effectiveness of the planned measures. For Thomas Juin, it is even a " an anti-environmental measure, since it increases journey times "to other foreign hubs. And Pascal de Izaguirre adds: " I don't see how taxing the aviation sector will advance the cause of decarbonisation: all it will do is reduce the resources we are mobilising to decarbonise the sector. ".
Clearly, to turn green, the French sky must at the very least avoid turning red. As Thomas Juin points out: " The State is in the red, and it's going to take us there. We can understand that the State needs to bail itself out, but taking such a measure without measuring the consequences shows that the State is cruelly lacking in vision for the aviation sector, and has been for several years now. This is a serious matter. ".
Despite this, the airline industry has not given up. " We remain hopeful of convincing the government that placing such a heavy and exclusive burden on the airline sector is an aberration. "sums up Pascal de Izaguirre. Izaguirre and the whole 'united front' against this measure are now calling for genuine consultation, based on a serious impact study, and for the burden to be shared out more fairly and with greater solidarity.
