Ryanair threatens to halve its presence in France

The low-cost airline is once again urging the government to abandon its plan to triple the proceeds of the solidarity tax on airline tickets (TSBA) in order to fill the state coffers.

After criticizing the government's desire to increase taxes on plane tickets, Ryanair is now threatening to significantly reduce operations in France if this project is implemented.

Remember that the government intends to triple the proceeds of the tax solidarity on plane tickets (TSBA) in order to fill the state coffers. This increase would come into effect on January 1.

For example, for domestic flights and in Europe, the scale would increase from 2.63 to 9.50 euros in economy class. For flights beyond 5,500 km, the scale would increase from 7.51 to 40 euros.

“A tax that will make many roads unviable”

In a press release, the low-cost airline believes that “higher air transport taxes mean higher access costs for the French, which will make France – and in particular regional France – a much less popular destination. competitive for tourism and airline investments.

“Unfortunately, given that this unjustified increase in passenger tax will make many routes to/from regional France unviable, Ryanair is currently reviewing its French programs and expects to reduce capacity to/from regional French airports until '50% from January 2025 if the French government continues its short-sighted plan to triple taxes on passengers”, we can read.

“The French government's proposal is short-sighted, poorly thought out and intended to further derail the recovery of the French aviation industry,” says Ryanair commercial director Jason McGuinness.

“France and Germany (where Ryanair has already reduced its presence, editor's note) are among the worst-performing aviation markets in Europe and, thanks to recent increases in aviation taxes, they will be even worse off. left behind by competing economies such as Spain and Poland, where there are no taxes, as well as Italy, Sweden and Hungary, which have abolished taxes on aviation.”, continues the responsible.