French Airline Pilots Plan Strike Over Proposed Tax Hike

This social movement follows the government’s decision to increase the Solidarity Tax on Airline Tickets (TSBA), better known as the "Chirac tax".

This increase in the TSBA, which should be tripled, aims to generate an additional one billion euros in revenue for the State. The SNPL denounces a "catastrophic" measure for the French air transport sector, which is just recovering from the Covid-19 crisis. According to the union, this tax could lead to the elimination of thousands of jobs and weaken the competitiveness of French airlines, particularly compared to their international competitors.

The government’s decision, taken without consultation with the industry players, has provoked an outcry. Airlines, airports, employer organizations and trade unions are uniting to demand the withdrawal of this measure. Among the companies concerned, we find in particular Air France, which operates many flights to Morocco.

The SNPL believes that this increase in the tax will have a detrimental effect on the attractiveness of France as a tourist and economic destination. Air France has even calculated that the increase in ticket prices could range from 2.63 to 9.50 euros for flights, which would have consequences on the prices of flights to Morocco.

The union deplores the lack of an impact study to assess the economic and social consequences of this measure. It calls on the government to reconsider its position and abandon this project that jeopardizes the future of the French air transport sector.