With the aim of reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector by 21%, the introduction of Fees for frequent flyers. According to an analysis conducted by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and partner organizations, people Pay more for each additional flight. Except for the first round trip.
The study also recommends using Revenue from this tax to invest in services Less polluting public transport, such as trains, helps reduce the number of “excessive” flights taken by the wealthiest.
Report, shared exclusively with The Guardianrepresents the first in-depth analysis of how a tassa per i frequent flyers It may work in Europe. We see. Details of the proposal.
How the “Frequent Traveler” Tax Works
There will be a fee for frequent flyers. Apply slowly: The first return flight of each year will not be subject to surcharges, while the amount payable for each additional flight increases progressively.
Here’s how it might work:
- No surcharge for first flight.Because the tax will be zero;
- For first flights within the year, a progressive tax of up to a maximum of 100 euros will be applied.With more money for long-haul and first-class flights.
The idea is to make subsequent trips progressively more expensive with the aim of discouraging frequent trips and reducing carbon emissions, but not only that. As Magdalena Heuser, a spokeswoman for the activist group CityGround, pointed out, the initiative also aims to reduce the inequities of the current system, where Those who visit family pay taxes. Among those who can perhaps afford themselves the luxury of taking the tenth flight a year to an exclusive destination.
Who will it kill?
The new tax is proposed for frequent air travelers. This will particularly affect the more affluent groups.As the data analysis shows, the survey shows that only 15% of families with an annual income of less than 20,000 euros would be able to fly enough to pay the proposed tax, while for those families Those whose income reached 63% up to 100,000 euros.
In fact, only a minority fly frequently, according to an analysis by the New Economics Foundation (NEF). 72% of passengers in Europe take a return flight. Fly once a year or less, or not at all. Therefore, the purpose of this tax is to make those who fly more pay more, encourage a reduction in unnecessary flights and better balance environmental costs among the biggest contributors to pollution.
What is the situation in Europe?
According to experts, one Taxation at the European level The aviation sector would be an ideal tool to deal with the increase in pollution, but in reality the implementation path may be complicated and time-consuming, because Consensus will be required among member states..
On the contrary, What is happening in Europe? This is because despite the increase in emissions in the aviation sector, the companies are enjoying huge subsidies in Europe. Aviation fuel, for example, is tax-free, while tickets are generally not subject to VAT.
For this reason it is also suggested that It can be led by individual states or small coalitions of countries.Although the report does not explore what they might be and how such measures will affect the market. So it is very unlikely to happen.