Will the EU introduce a minimum price for flights? France is looking for support for the idea

Transport Minister Clement Beaune announced that France will be looking for countries that will support its idea of ​​setting a minimum price for airline tickets in the European Union. According to the ministry’s representative, more expensive travel will “reduce the impact of the aviation sector on climate change.”

France with the idea of ​​a minimum ticket price

– It’s not a matter of multiplying the ticket price by 10, Beaune assured. According to the minister, France raised this topic in order to “open a debate on a fair, social and environmental price of an airline ticket.” The originators argue that the problem of cheap tickets cannot be ignored any longer, which is why it should be discussed at the EU level.

European officials told Reuters that Belgium and the Netherlands broadly support the French idea. – Austria has already proposed a minimum price, but its introduction was associated with legal complexities – one of the interlocutors told the press agency. Island countries, whose tourism sectors rely largely on cheap flights, are less enthusiastic about this issue.

Opposition from the airline industry

Reuters emphasizes that France may have trouble gaining wider support for the project. “Talks between EU countries on taxes on aviation fuel have reached an impasse,” the agency notes, explaining that the authorities are resisting projects that would lead to price increases before the European Parliament elections scheduled for 2024.

Some low-cost airlines are also against the changes. “We do not support initiatives that would violate the rights of airlines established under EU law,” said Airlines for Europe. Reuters asked representatives of Ryanair, which experienced problems after the introduction of new taxes on people traveling by plane in Belgium, for comment. However, the company is refraining from commenting at this time.