French business aviation leaders are pressing their government for a U-turn to reverse high passenger duties imposed on private charter flights in March. According to Charles Aguettant, president of EBAA-France, France's Prime Minister François Bayrou has acknowledged the so-called “solidarity tax” was ill-conceived, sparking hope that the industry group can persuade the administration to accept alternative proposals.
With France’s government needing to close a €40 billion deficit in its 2026 budget, whether the administration will reverse its policy of targeting wealthy travelers remains to be seen. However, during this week’s EBACE show in Geneva, Aguettant told AIN that complexities around requirements for operators flying from French airports to collect the duty have resulted in a fiscal yield of just €5 million to €10 million—well short of the planned €100 million to be raised—but costing operators customers deterred by the bloated costs of charter flights.
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