The French government is preparing to implement a tax reform which will significantly increase the tax on plane tickets from 2025. This punitive measure (one more) officially aims to finance the ecological transition while helping to reduce the public deficit . A look back at the details of this reform, its repercussions for travelers and the reaction of airlines.
A tripled tax: what amounts for passengers?
The amendment to the 2025 finance bill plans to triple the solidarity tax on plane tickets, known as the “Chirac tax”. Currently set at an amount of 2.63 to 63.07 euros depending on class and destination, this tax could increase to 9.50 euros for flights within Europe in economy class and up to 120 euros for long-haul journeys. in business class. These new prices will also apply to tickets already issued, from January 1, 2025.
This increase is mainly aimed at generating one billion euros in additional revenue, of which 850 million will come from scheduled air services and 150 million from business aviation. For passengers on private jets, a special tax ranging from 300 to 3,000 euros could also see the light of day, depending on the latest decisions of the Minister of Transport, François Durovray.
Air France-KLM takes the lead
Anticipating the implementation of this tax, the Air France-KLM group has already integrated this increase into its prices, although the amendment has not yet been voted on by the National Assembly. According to the group, this approach aims to avoid a significant loss of cash if the law were to be adopted. Air France specifies, however, that in the event of subsequent modifications or abandonment of the tax, adjustments will be made to correspond to the amounts actually due.
This increase in prices worries both consumers and professionals in the sector. A survey carried out by Odoxa reveals that 57% of French people are opposed to this increase, while 76% believe that it will have an impact on their vacation plans. This perception fuels the debate on the real objective of the tax: is it an environmental lever or simply a means of replenishing the state coffers? Criticism is increasing, particularly from the National Federation of Transport User Associations (Fnaut), which emphasizes that the measure risks penalizing purchasing power without encouraging a real change in behavior, such as a shift towards greener modes of transport.
Air France's decision to levy this tax in advance has sparked indignation from unions and professional associations, who denounce a lack of consultation and a unilateral decision. Valérie Boned, president of Travel Companies (EDV), and René-Marc Chikli, president of the Union of Tour-Operating Companies (Seto), expressed their disagreement in a letter addressed to Air France management. They find it surprising that the company is applying a tax that has not yet been voted on, even though it criticizes its implementation.
The Group of French Aeronautical and Space Industries (Gifas) also warns of the impact of this tax on tourist attractiveness and the development of the airline industry in France, already facing significant challenges in a competitive European market.
This tax reform, although it falls within the framework of ecological transition objectives, raises the question of the balance between environmental and economic imperatives but also of the punitive taxation that the French are constantly subjected to. If the government hopes to achieve additional revenue to finance green projects, the increase in fares could push travelers to review their transport habits, particularly on short journeys for which the train is a credible alternative.
It remains to be seen how the aeronautics industry, already weakened by successive crises, will be able to adapt to these new fiscal constraints without compromising its competitiveness or penalizing its users.
Photo d’illustration : DR
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