Belgium has announced a private jet tax to reduce noise pollution and encourage environmentally responsible air travel.
According to a statement released by the Belgian government, additional levies will be imposed on private jets, older planes producing more noise, and short-haul flights to reduce noise and air pollution.
Currently, aircraft that use Brussels Airport must pay a fee calculated according to the noise emitted during takeoff and landing. Until this announcement, an exemption has been made for less significant aircraft, such as private jets.
Georges Gilkinet, deputy prime minister and minister in charge of transport, said:
“The noise pollution experienced by residents near Brussels National Airport, whether they live in Flanders, Brussels or Wallonia, cannot remain as it is.”
Belgium’s Private Jet Tax Effective April 2023
The new duty structure, scheduled to go into effect on April 1, 2023, would make tariffs depending not only on the degree of noise but also on the amount of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the route.
Taxes and fees will go up for flights less than 500 km (310 miles) long to reduce the number of aircraft on shorter routes.
As per the European Business Aviation Association, the proportion of air traffic accounted for by business aviation in Belgium is 12%.
France, the Torchbearers in the EU
France has been pushing for this proposal since the summer, even though there is not currently a rule at the EU level that taxes business aircraft based on their greenhouse gas emissions. The French government favours increasing taxes for private jets in 2023.
They would accomplish this by bringing the pricing of aviation fuels in line with those used in automobiles.
“The government supports this amendment,” Environment Minister Christophe Bechu said on franceinfo radio after several parliamentarians from President Emmanuel Macron’s caucus presented an addition to the 2023 tax bill.
Environmentally Responsible Air Travel
Policies will further stimulate the drive to launch a new generation of environmentally responsible air travel, such as Belgium’s taxation and France’s legislation.
Even though this decision is not as draconian, it underlines the ever-growing effort to limit emissions amid lofty environmental standards. The overall goal of the EU is to achieve net zero emissions from aviation in Europe by the year 2050.
Will the new tariff in Belgium help to reduce the amount of noise and air pollution? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
