Airlines against increasing "tax Chirac "

Airlines against increasing "tax Chirac "

The union of autonomous airlines ( Scara ) oppose close to the announcement of the 12.7% increase of the solidarity tax on airline tickets , also known as the "tax Chirac " the name of the President was adopted , stressing that the tax burden of any kind threatens their survival in a highly competitive industry .

Established in 2006, the tax on airline tickets used to finance the Fund to fight against AIDS and other epidemics , particularly to help the most affected countries in Africa . The Scara , which includes 17 French companies (Air Austral , Aigle Azur , Air Caribbean , Mediterranean Air , Air Corsica , Corsair , XL Airways, etc ... with the exception of Air France ) , request it applies also to TGV competitor aircraft on domestic routes .

"We ask that the tax continues to apply to airlines. And, if it is upheld, it also relates to the TGV . This would not increase the airlines " , said Jean -Pierre Bes , general secretary of Scara , the daily La Tribune. "Consumers are not even aware of the cause they support. Worse, consult a price comparison , they make the difference in 5 or 10 euros near the French and penalize companies that have incorporated the tax in their prices " , he said.

To date, for a domestic flight , the fee is to this day one euro for economy class ticket and 10 euros in business class. For international flights , the fee is 4 euros in economy class and 40 euros for business or first class . It will soon be increased by 12.7% , the increase being directly passed on the price of the ticket .

Like other French airlines, Air France denounced the increase in a statement: "In a context of crisis and strong international competition, and while most countries do not have this tax, this additional burden will weigh even more on the national company " . Many states , like the United States and the United Kingdom, are adamantly opposed to any tax on air transport , even for humanitarian purposes .