The French company is now applying an increase in the solidarity tax on plane tickets for flights from January 2025, despite an amendment still under discussion in Parliament. An initiative that arouses discontent and questions among customers and players in the sector.
Air France-KLM is not waiting for the budget vote
Air France-KLM has taken the unprecedented decision to increase its prices for flights operated from January 1, 2025, by immediately passing on the increase in the solidarity tax on plane tickets. This measure, announced in a press release from the group on October 24, echoes the finance bill for 2025, which provides for a significant increase in this tax in order to strengthen the financing of transport infrastructure, including rail.
Therefore, passengers purchasing a ticket for next year will be charged an additional tax, even if the amendment has not yet been voted on. Concretely, the solidarity tax, created in 2006 to support developing countries, increases from 2.63 to 9.50 euros for economy class flights within the European Union.
On long-distance journeys, such as Paris-New York in business class, the tax rises to 120 euros. Air France-KLM justifies this decision by the need to avoid financial loss in the event of rapid implementation of the law. “ In the event of modification, abandonment or rejection of the amendment, we undertake to reimburse the surplus collected », Specifies the company.
This anticipation on the part of Air France-KLM arouses the anger of passengers, with some calling for a boycott on social networks. “ Why anticipate a tax that hasn't even been voted on yet? » exclaims an Internet user, summarizing the general feeling of incomprehension. The discontent is also palpable among tourism professionals: Valérie Boned, president of Travel Companies (EDV), and René-Marc Chikli, president of the Union of tour-operating companies (Seto), strongly criticized Air France in a letter addressed to management. They criticize the group for not having informed them in advance, and for “ create confusion » by applying a tax that is still uncertain.
Contested financing and future prospects for the sector
This initiative comes in a context of financial pressure for airlines, while the government hopes to generate an additional billion euros thanks to this tax, including 850 million from regular commercial flights. The justification from the Minister of Transport, François Durovray, however, did not ease tensions. In a recent statement to La Tribune, he considers this tax “affordable”, estimating that 9.50 euros for an intra-European flight or 120 euros for a transatlantic business class are “balanced” amounts. However, this position divides, especially since the State remains the majority shareholder of Air France-KLM.
Air France-KLM's decision raises a broader question about the impact of aviation taxation in France. In the midst of an ecological transition, the government is banking on an increase in air transport taxation to fill the budget deficit, also targeting sectors such as large businesses and high incomes. However, this increase in the tax on plane tickets could ultimately affect the competitiveness of French companies compared to European competitors who are not subject to such measures.
While debates continue in the National Assembly, the airline sector could be required to negotiate a more progressive application of the tax. For Air France-KLM, the regularization promised in the event of rejection of the law remains an uncertain commitment in a context where passengers and travel professionals are calling for more transparency and dialogue.
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