Airlines Refund Passengers After French Government Scraps Planned Ticket Tax Hike

Air France, Air Caraïbes, French Bee, Corsair and Fly Emirates had, since October, started applying the "Chirac tax", increasing the price of their tickets on departures from January 1, 2025. Air France for example applied an increase from 2.63 euros to 9.50 euros for economy class tickets and from 20.27 euros to 30 euros in business class for domestic and European flights. The airline also increased prices from 7.51 euros to 15 euros in economy and from 63.07 euros to 80 euros in business class for flights under 5,500 km, and from 7.51 euros to 40 euros in economy, and from 63.07 euros to 120 euros in business and first class for flights over 5,500 km.

But with the censorship of the Barnier government, the measure has become obsolete. A situation that has forced the companies that had anticipated the increase in the "Chirac" tax to refund the customers who had paid the high prices. "We have refunded all those who requested it and have taken the necessary steps," Air France told the newspaper Le Parisien. The company says that since December 7th, its tickets have been sold at the previous price. "Customers in possession of a ticket purchased between October 24 and December 6, 2024 will be refunded the difference between the amount collected at the time of their reservation and the 2024 TSBA rate," it states on its website.

To get their money back, the customers concerned will have to make a request on the company’s website (for customers who booked directly with the company) or with the travel agency used for the booking.