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IN BRIEF
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The world of travel is in turmoil with the imminent return of the tax on airline tickets, officially called Solidarity Tax on Airline Tickets. Set to come into effect in March 2025, this tax reform is accompanied by proposals that could disrupt the cost of air travel from France. Between the increase in the applied amounts and possible exemptions, travelers will need to navigate carefully through the intricacies of this new regulation. Follow the guide to discover the details that could affect your future air travel.
The return of the tax on airline tickets is making a lot of noise at the end of this year. Planned as part of the Finance Law 2025, this measure aims to increase taxation on commercial flights departing from France. Intended to generate between 800 and 850 million euros, this tax is restarting under a new title, the Solidarity Tax on Airline Tickets. Here’s everything you need to know about this news that could influence your upcoming travel.
A loaded history
Since its creation in 2005, the solidarity tax on airline tickets, often referred to as the Chirac tax, has undergone numerous ups and downs. Originally, this tax was meant to be implemented globally, but only France and a few other countries adopted it. This resurgence of the tax reflects an increased need for funding in the aviation sector, but also a desire to rebalance taxation in this area.
The details of the new taxation
According to the draft law, all commercial flights departing from the hexagon would be subject to this new taxation. Passengers in Business class and travelers on private jets will face higher amounts, while routes to Overseas Territories and Corsica will benefit from reductions. The new pricing grids propose amounts symptomatic of this adjustment and will undoubtedly provoke numerous reactions among travelers.
An impact on airlines
Airlines find themselves, once again, facing a dilemma. With this increase in taxation, they must juggle between maintaining their operations and the necessity of passing these costs onto ticket prices. This could lead them to revise their rates, directly impacting the budgets of millions of travelers. The economic repercussions of this reform are unlikely to stop at a simple price adjustment; they could affect the traffic of airline routes.
The amounts in question
On paper, the amounts set for the new tax vary according to destinations and travel classes. Thus, a ticket in economy class for a domestic European flight could incur a tax of 7.4 €, while a ticket in business class could reach 30 €. For medium-haul flights, the amounts are 15 € and 80 €, while for long-haul flights, it rises to 40 € for economy class and up to 120 € for business class.
Repercussions for travelers
For travelers, the return of this tax could pose several challenges. Indeed, while it is already difficult to anticipate a travel budget, the addition of these new charges could complicate vacation planning. It is essential for passengers to be informed in order to anticipate extra costs at the time of booking their airline tickets.
The reactions to this initiative
The news of the return of the tax on airline tickets is bound to provoke reactions among the public. Some stakeholders in the aviation sector as well as consumer associations are concerned about the economic consequences this could have. A wide array of opinions will therefore be expressed regarding this measure, ranging from approval to dissent, with calls to rethink how the aviation sector is financed.
