Italy’s parliament has approved plans for a new tax on all business aircraft, regardless of country of registration, as part of the effort to reduce the country’s massive national debt. Business aviation interests expect to learn the details of how the legislation will work by the end of February, but it could impose a tariff of several hundred thousand dollars on the owner of a large jet that spends more than 48 consecutive hours in the country. The tax will apply only to privately owned aircraft and will exclude those operated under commercial air operator’s certificates (AOCs) and also aircraft operated by governments and for purposes such as emergency medical services.
Aircraft weight will determine the magnitude of the tax. Those weighing less than 1,000 kg (2,205 pounds) will be charged €1.50 per kilogram, but the rate will rise steeply with weight: an aircraft that tips the scales at more than 10,000 kg (22,046 pounds) will be assessed at €7.55 per kilogram. For example, the tax on a Bombardier Learjet 60 would be €80,480; for a Boeing Business Jet it would rise to €585,620. Unclear at this stage is whether the tax would be levied each time an aircraft spends more than 48 consecutive hours in Italy or would be a one-off charge.
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