While a tripling of the Solidarity Tax on Airline Tickets (TSBA) is still under consideration, the Fédération Nationale de l’Aviation et de ses Métiers (FNAM) and the Union des Aéroports Français (UAF) are sounding the alarm.
According to a study by Deloitte, this tax increase could destroy 11,500 jobs in France by 2025, reduce regional connectivity and harm the competitiveness of French airlines, which are already heavily taxed.
Such a measure would also have a negative impact on the ecological transition, given the lack of resources to finance greener fleets.
Faced with these challenges, the FNAM and UAF are calling for a significant reduction in taxation and a reallocation of revenue to support the sector’s sustainability and preserve its crucial role in the French economy.
Key figures from the study :
1. Air transport in France generates 111 billion euros in sales and 52 billion euros in added value, representing 1.8% of French GDP. It contributes 567,946 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs through its direct, indirect and induced effects.
2. Foreign tourists arriving by air spend around 23 billion euros, accounting for 37% of total tourism revenue in France. Air tourism thus makes a significant contribution to the economy, particularly in the hotel, restaurant and travel agency sectors.
3. Air transport supports the export of goods worth €80 billion outside the European Union. It contributes directly to some 234,000 jobs linked to international air freight.
4. Air links between mainland France and the French Overseas Departments and Regions (DROM) carry almost 8 million passengers a year. These flights meet tourist and economic needs, as well as transporting essential goods.
5. The aviation industry generates over €12.2 billion in tax revenue, including sector-specific taxes and indirect contributions via suppliers.
For a detailed analysis, see the full study.