Senators approved almost unanimously on Wednesday, November 27, the increase in the “solidarity tax” on plane tickets, of which the government expected an additional billion euros next year, an amount cut against its opinion by a series of measures in particular for overseas, Corsica and small airlines.
A partly successful landing for the executive, which saw its amendment to the draft budget for 2025 adopted by 310 votes in the upper house. Only the four far-right elected officials opposed it, while the environmentalist and communist groups abstained.
Tax from 2025
The taxation of plane tickets will therefore be significantly increased from next year, and not just for a single year as the deputies decided. On the other hand, the impact on state coffers could be less than expected.
And for good reason: the senators have significantly reduced the scale of this tax, the minimum amount of which would increase from 2.63 to 5.30 euros for an economy class ticket to France or Europe, instead of 9.50 euros envisaged by the government. Prices for first class and for business aviation have also been revised sharply.
Read also: Tax on plane tickets: “A shock for Air France-KLM”, says its boss Benjamin Smith
Exemptions
The Senate also voted for exemptions for flights from and to overseas departments or Corsica, as well as for so-called lines « territorial planning » which serve, among other places, Limoges, Castres or Brive-la-Gaillarde.
However, measures “contrary to European law”warned Budget Minister Laurent Saint-Martin, stressing that he “will not be possible” to establish “differentiated taxes depending on destinations”.
The senators, on the other hand, followed the government 100% on its proposal to exclude gas boilers from VAT reduced to 5.5% or 10%. They will now be taxed at the full rate of 20%, with an expected gain of 200 million euros on the budget.
