Routes from across 22 airports remain in limbo as Ryanair CEO threatened to ‘reduce capacity’ in a major EU country following its controversial decision to more than double ‘solidarity tax’ for flights
Budget airline Ryanair has threatened to ‘reduce’ its capacity at a popular EU country ahead of a hefty hike in aviation levies. Next month, March 1, France will more than double the ‘solidarity tax’ on plane tickets – citing the move on environmental and financial factors.
Prime Minister François Bayrou controversially forced the bill through parliament without any vote or referendum in a desperate attempt to reduce the country’s deficit. But, critics argue the hefty tax will come at a much greater cost – and will knock France out of the global aviation competition.
Short-haul flights within France or Europe will soon jump from €2.63 to €7.40 on flights departing from France. A tax on business and first-class tickets is also slated to increase to €30 for short-haul, €80 for medium-haul and €120 for long-haul flights. According to the Guardian, private jets will also be subject to increased charges of up to €2,100.
Amélie de Montchalin, the minister for public accounts, justified the tax, describing it as a “measure of fiscal and ecological justice”. She added: “Twenty per cent of the population with the highest income is responsible for more than half the money spent on air travel.”
However, Ryanair, who has been vocal against several EU countries rising aviation fees, clapped back at the shakeup. CEO Michael O’Leary reportedly said at a press conference earlier this month: “France is already a high-tax country and if it increases already high taxes further, we will probably reduce our capacity. France is going against the tide. Europe will not become more efficient or more competitive by over-taxing airfares.”
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While no new route withdrawals have yet been confirmed, reports suggest reduced services may hit several of the 22 French airports Ryanair flies from. “Hubs like Limoges, La Rochelle, and Carcassonne risk losing vital connections if the airline follows through,” warns Euro Weekly News. Last year, Ryanair closed its Bordeaux base which is said to have witnessed an almost-overnight drop in passengers of 13 per cent – and ruled out operating flights to Paris. The Mirror has contacted Ryanair to see if it going ahead with threats of slashing its capacity in France.
However, the company isn’t the only airline to have publicly criticised the tax. In an interview with local publication Le Parisien earlier this year, Air-France KLM’s Benjamin Smith branded the tax ‘irresponsible’, and argued it was a ‘tax to access France’.
*Solidarity Tax follows the same rules as Civil Aviation Tax. It does not apply to non-commercial operators. Exemption includes flights following a tech stop or a forced landing due to bad weather or mechanical failure. Flight crew and children below the age of two are also exempt.
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