The government’s will is clear: tax carbon-intensive modes of transport to finance green modes of transport, mainly rail.
“We need to invest a lot in the ecological transition,” says Clément Beaune, Minister of Transport. Therefore, we must “ask the most carbon-intensive modes of transport to finance investment in rail.”
Hence the idea of a specific tax applied to motorway companies and airlines. “The plane ticket should be a little more expensive to reflect its environmental cost and finance investment in rail. There is already a tax, the ecological contribution. The idea is to reinforce it. I am in favor of it,” he said. he said recently.
A perspective that ulcerates the sector. In a statement, the National Federation of Aviation and its professions (FNAM) stated that it had “learned through the press the intention of the Government to introduce a new tax on French air transport through a specific tax on the turnover of airport concessions “.
“No consultation”
Last May, Clément Beaune himself announced in person, before the entire sector gathered in Congress, the possibility of a tax. Which already causes outrage.
In its statement, the lobby declares itself “firmly opposed to this new fiscal project and is surprised by the form of this announcement, which has not been the subject of any consultation or information gathering by the players in the aviation sector.”
and to explain thatfinally, “In fact, this new tax would essentially fall on the airlines and their passengers.” In particular, the overseas French claim that “air is not a luxury but a necessity.” Clément Beaune specified however that this tax would not be adapted in this specific case.
“The user must pay part” of the costs, justified Clément Beaune a few days ago from the Medef summer school. “It is virtuous and empowering.”
Adjustment Variable
The sector is particularly afraid that this puncture “considerably reduces the competitiveness of the French flag”, while the sector is already immersed in massive investments for its decarbonisation: fleet renewal, massive purchases of SAF (cleaner fuels), etc. But let’s forget to remember that kerosene escapes any tax.
In June, FNAM itself explained that “the additional cost of the green transition of the aviation sector for the French flag (excluding investment in fleets) it is estimated at one billion euros in 2025 and almost 3 billion euros in 2030. Air transport is in fact a sector in ecological transition and cannot become the variable of ” adjustment of investment policies for other modes of transport”. ‘.
Visibly irritated that its position is not heard, the Fnam threatens and indicates that it “will study the possible legal solutions against the implementation of such a device.”
Source: BFM TV
