The National Pilots’ Union Calls for a General Strike

The proposed law to increase the tax on plane tickets does not at all receive support from the union

We hope you don’t have any flights scheduled for this Thursday, November 14. The National Airline Pilots’ Union (SNPL), which is the majority within the profession, has called for a strike on that day. We explained it in a previous article, the new government plans to increase an existing tax on airline tickets.

Called TSBA or Chirac tax, it applies to all tickets departing from France to go to a foreign country. And it will become three times more expensive if it passes. The government plans to collect 1.5 billion euros annually from this tax, compared to 460 million so far.

The airline pilots are angered. For them, this increase in ticket prices will be disastrous for the air transport economy and could lead to the loss of several thousand jobs. “While many players in the aviation sector are just recovering from the prolonged effects of the COVID-19 crisis, this additional tax will ultimately result in tens of thousands of job losses in France”, signed the union.

The government tries to extinguish the fire

In this context, the government is trying to justify this measure, as best as it can. François Durovray, the Minister of Transport, spoke in an interview with La Tribune on October 28. “This tax is explained by a context where we must fight, as the Prime Minister said, both against the budget deficit and the climate debt.”

On Sunday, on France Info, he also highlighted the environmental interest of this measure. “This tax has both the virtue of contributing to restoring the state’s finances and an environmental goal”, he said, estimating that the tax could encourage airlines to “use more sustainable fuel in their planes.”

These explanations will not soothe the union. Especially since the government’s budget, which is little appreciated by all deputies, could be passed with the help of Article 49.3. The rendezvous is set for Thursday, in front of the National Assembly.

Also read: Why do we feel more cramped in our clothes on a plane?