Pilots are not happy with the amendment to the airline tax code. Their union is calling for a strike and a rally on Thursday, November 14. “Against the government’s desire to take an extra billion a year from the airline sector, we call on pilots but also all airline sector employees to mobilize on November 14.”said a spokesman for the ultra-majority pilots’ union. “We are calling for a rally near the National Assembly at the end of the morning”.we added.

As part of its examination of the draft budget, the National Assembly approved on Friday higher taxes on air transport proposed by the government, but limiting its duration to one year, and excluding French insular and overseas territories from the scheme.

The scheme will raise the tax on air tickets for economy class flights from 2.60 euros per passenger to 9.50 euros for European destinations, from 7.50 euros to 15 euros for intermediate destinations, and from 7.50 euros to 40 euros for long-haul destinations, explained the Budget’s general rapporteur, Charles de Courson (Liot). Increases are also planned for business class, from 20 to 30 euros for European destinations, from 63 to 80 euros for intermediate destinations and from 63 to 120 euros for long-haul destinations, he detailed. “This unprecedented tax burden will degrade the competitiveness of the Paris hub in relation to its competitors”said Charles de Courson, who voted against the measure.