The SNPL calls for mobilization against an air transport tax deemed 'dangerous' for jobs

The National Union of Airline Pilots (SNPL) has called for a strike and a gathering in front of the National Assembly this Thursday in response to the recent increase in taxes on air transport approved by members of parliament as part of the 2025 budget plan. This tax hike aims to raise an additional one billion euros per year from the aviation sector, a levy that the SNPL deems “excessive and unjustified.” The union, which is the majority among pilots, is calling not only on pilots but also on all employees in aviation to mobilize on November 14 to express their opposition to this new fiscal measure.

The measure passed by parliament, although limited to a one-year duration, excludes the Overseas Territories and Corsica, creating a difference in treatment that some argue could disadvantage other regions. The measure is set to take effect on January 1, 2025, leading to increased ticket prices. In economy class, flights within Europe will see their tax rise from 2.60 euros to 9.50 euros per passenger. For medium-haul flights, it will increase from 7.50 euros to 15 euros, and for long-haul flights, it will soar from 7.50 euros to 40 euros.

Air France-KLM CEO Benjamin Smith responded by expressing his disagreement with the increased tax, highlighting that legislators at least acknowledged the competitiveness risks by exempting the Overseas Territories and Corsica. Nevertheless, he fears that this hike will weaken French airlines in the face of their European competitors.

From the pilots' perspective, the SNPL strongly condemns what it describes as a “tripling” of the tax on plane tickets, recalling that the sector is only just beginning to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that heavily impacted air transport. The union believes that this new tax could lead to significant job losses in the sector, projecting tens of thousands of layoffs in France over the medium term if the government does not reverse its decision.

Transport Minister François Durovray defended the tax increase on France Info, arguing that this fiscal measure serves a dual purpose: contributing to the recovery of public finances while also addressing environmental concerns. According to him, the increase could encourage airlines to intensify their use of sustainable fuels, a greener alternative to traditional fuels, although he acknowledged that the accessibility of these fuels remains a challenge for the industry.

However, the SNPL remains skeptical of this environmental justification and sees the tax as a direct threat to the aviation sector. The union points out that the industry has already begun efforts toward ecological transition and argues that this tax could exacerbate the economic pressure on French airlines without genuinely addressing current environmental challenges