“This astronomical tax makes France less competitive”

The Ryanair airline announced, this Wednesday, July 30, the stopping of their activity at Bergerac, Brive and Strasbourg airports. Furthermore, It thus reduces its capacity in France by 13%, removing 750,000 seats. Furthermore, An ad that follows the increase in the solidarity tax on plane tickets.

Ryanair leaves. However, In a statement released this Wednesday. July 30, the Irish airline announced to stop operations at Bergerac, Brive and Strasbourg airports “this astronomical tax makes france and reduce its activity in “Several other French airports”. “This loss of connectivity, entirely avoidable, will be disastrous for French regional connectivity, employment and tourism”regrets the Irish company.

In total, 25 lines and 750,000 seats will be removed, thus reducing Ryanair’s ability in France by 13%.

“Astronomical tax”

In its press release. the airline denounces the 180% increase in the solidarity tax on plane tickets in March 2025, and “The failure of the French government” to cancel it. “This astronomical tax makes France less competitive compared to other EU countries such as Ireland. Spain or Poland, which do not impose any air tax”, underlines Ryanair, specifying that “Several warnings of airlines” had however been produced since March.

In sight: the loss of profitability of the company’s lines. “” “It is unacceptable that a major European country like France accuses such a delay compared to the rest of the EU. with traffic always lower than the levels before covid, because of excessive taxes and safety costs, imposed by the government, which make many French regional lines not profitable, especially in winter ”, Harts Jason McGuinness, the commercial director of Ryanair.

The company threatens France to end up with “Half empty regional airports”. lose opportunities for the benefit of other countries, such as Sweden, Hungary or Italy that have removed taxes for “Stimulate traffic, tourism, employment and economic recovery”. Alerts that intervene in a context in which the “Investments in airlines have become rare due to the shortage. of aircraft.”

Unless the government changes course. abolish this unjust air tax, Ryanair’s capacity and investments in France will inevitably be redirected to more competitive European markets.

Jason McGuiness

Commercial Director of Ryanair

At war against this tax, Ryanair continues to hammer his arguments for its cancellation. “If the government decided to completely eliminate this harmful air tax. Ryanair could envisage ambitious growth in France in the coming years ”promises the company.

At the heart of this growth, the Ryanair company indicates that it could invest $ 2.5 billion, or 25 new planes, and double its traffic to more than 30 million passengers per year. An increase in activity which would generate, according to its calculations, the creation of 750 jobs in the region.