A tearful call after record financial results. The general director of Air France-KLM, Benjamin Smith, expressed his anger at the possible increase in the tax on plane tickets planned by the government, in search of funds to limit the budget deficit, in the columns of Parisian, Sunday January 19.
Benjamin Smith warned of an increase which will weigh on travelers and the destination France. “For twenty years, we have lost 1 to 2% of market share per year to the benefit of foreign companies. The risk is to move the value that our traffic generates to other countries. he said, referring to a “access tax to France”.
“Decarbonization of the aviation sector”
This decision “irresponsible” would make France “the country where air transport is taxed the most in Europe”, insisted the boss of the Franco-Dutch company. “A new tax was already introduced last year,” added the boss of Air France to his pleading, in reference to the new tax on infrastructure, which the airports concerned pass on to the airlines.
“If an increase in the tax were to be confirmed, which I certainly do not want, we ask that it be, at least, directed towards the decarbonization of the aviation sector”, however, launched Benjamin Smith, at the helm of a group which last year recorded profits (934 million, + 28.3% over one year) and turnover (30 billion euros + 14%). records in 2023.
-The new Minister of Public Accounts, Amélie de Montchalin, said on January 6 that she was in favor of an increase in the solidarity tax on plane tickets (TSBA) to contribute to reducing the public deficit. It could bring in nearly a billion euros per year to the State, compared to 450 million in 2023. In response, the air sector federations reacted on Monday January 13, calling on the government to revise its project and demanding consultation. .
The government of Michel Barnier had already proposed in its 2025 draft budget a tripling of this tax and an increase in the taxation of private jet passengers, provoking the ire of the sector which had ordered the new government to restart the project “more balanced” adopted in November by the Senate. The censorship of Michel Barnier will not have saved the airline sector because Amélie de Montchalin decided to keep the increase in the TSBA on the agenda, arguing that it was a “fiscal and ecological justice measure”.
