Budget 2025: a fiscal shock with serious consequences?
The plans of the French government, in its 2025 finance bill a significant increase in air transportation taxes. This measure includes the tripling of the solidarity tax on airline tickets (TSBA) and an increase in the tax on private jets, which is expected to raise one billion euros.. According to Ryanair Chief Commercial Officer Jason McGuinness, “The impact of the additional tax on passengers will be the most damaging for the French region, which depends on the costs of access to the competition”. Regional airports, which often rely on low-cost airlines, will be particularly affected. The National Aviation Federation even estimates that this increase could lead to a 2% decrease in traffic across the country.
Ryanair currently serves 22 airports in France, including two close to the Paris region: Beauvais (Oise) and Vatry (Marne). The company has not yet revealed the ten platforms that may be abandoned, but it has announced a potential 50% reduction in capacity. This scenario is worrying, especially for small towns where transportation alternatives are limited. These regions risk losing part of their charm and connectivity, which will affect their local economy, which is increasingly dependent on tourism and business travel.
Ryanair is concerned about its profitability
Pour Ryanair, This tax increase represents a “fundamental problem” for its profitability in France. The Irish company, the European leader in air transport, has already announced similar reductions in Germany, where the same tax policies are implemented.. The French government, for its part, relies on these measures to reduce the budget deficit while respecting environmental commitments.
Does the 2025 budget endanger the competitiveness of the French aviation sector? If some taxes aim to encourage environmentally responsible behavior, the economic and social effects of these decisions can prove costly. Ryanair plans to carry 5.7 million passengers in France in 2024, an increase of 19% compared to 2023.