Philippe Tabarot believes that new air taxes “would slow the economic activity of our country”. As part of the 2026 budget, the government would however work on measures that could increase the price of tickets.
The government must find 40 billion euros in savings for its 2026 budget in order to redress France’s accounts. But not at any cost for the Minister of Transport. “I am not in favor of the plane because I have been taxed [le secteur] has been significantly taxed in recent years “Launched Philippe Tabarot, this Friday morning, on Franceinfo, while new taxes on air transport are being studied on the side of Bercy, including a tax on kerosene and a doubling of VAT on interior flights, from 10 to 20%.
For Philippe Tabarot, these measures would lead to “A risk of dropping out” airlines, “Who are already starting to leave our country”. If he evokes “Stable figures from year to year”the Minister of Transport points out that “In other countries in southern Europe, such as Italy or Spain, they manage to increase” The arrival of airlines from 5 to 6%. “The solidarity tax on last year’s plane tickets has probably slowed down the air”he believes.
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“To be really vigilant” on the competitiveness of France
The increase in this tax was included in the 2025 budget. It was increased to 7.40 euros for an economy class ticket for a flight to a French or European destination, at 15 euros for a flight to an intermediate destination or 40 euros for a flight to a distant destination. Last March, Philippe Tabarot said personally “reserve” to the idea of ​​registering this increase over time, judging that the“We must not tax certain sectors that radiate worldwide”allusion to aeronautical construction of which Airbus is one of the two leaders.
The former Senator LR warns the government on the fact “To be really vigilant” on France’s competitiveness. “These additional taxes will be counterproductive and will slow the economic activity of our country”judge Philippe Tabarot, hammering his “Wish that there is a break” in the taxation of the air sector. “I also hope that when there is a tax that is applied to the transport sector, which it returns to transport because today, the arrows are not automatically done”advance the minister.
