ACI Europe urged the French government on Friday September 29 to reconsider its plan to add a additional tax on the revenues generated by the airports of Paris, Nice, Marseille, Lyon And Toulouse.
Proposed as part of the 2024 finance law, the tax would reduce the ability of these airports to finance their ambitious decarbonization plans, aiming to achieve zero net CO2 emissions under their control between 2026 and 2030. It also risks “impact their competitive position and connectivity, with negative repercussions on their local economy”insists ACI Europe, the main professional organization bringing together airport companies in Europe. “This is a new initiative by the French government targeting aviation and described as environmentally friendly – but which would in fact affect both the efforts of decarbonization and the economy », recalls Olivier Jankovec, general director of ACI Europe. According to him, it is not wise to force airports that are leading decarbonization efforts to obtain tax revenue and this amounts to “political greenwashing”. “Achieving net zero for European aviation will require more than €820 billion of investment across the entire ecosystem including aircraft manufacturers, airlines, airports and air navigation service providers. Taxing the sector more will only make these investments more difficult and threaten our shared goals. »
In its 2024 finance bill (PLF), the French government announced a tax on airport concessions, as well as on motorways, a measure which should bring in 600 million euros every year and will serve the “future plan for transport” launched by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne in February.
