The French Transport Ministry has announced a 65% cut on the “eco tax” TSBA for certain Public Service Obligations (PSO) routes. This will reduce standard class journey costs by an average of roughly €5 per person per flight, including on three international routes departing from Strasbourg.
“These routes play a vital role in regional development and opening up access to areas where air transport is often the only fast and efficient mode of transportation” said French transport minister Phillipe Tabarot.
What is TSBA?
The newly announce tax cuts will reduce the rate of ‘tarif de solidarite de la taxe sur le transport aerien de passagers’ (TSBA). The tax operates on a sliding scale, with passengers on longer journeys, or flying on a business aircraft, paying more. There are exemptions from the tax for emergency flights, and children under two years old.
TSBA was announced in 2005 and introduced in 2006 as a means of raising government revenue and reducing the carbon footprint of France’s aviation industry. The scheme was re-designed in 2024 as one of a number of measures designed to reduce the French national debt. The revised version, which was first implemented in March 2025, was predicted to raise an extra €1 billion each year.
Why has TSBA been cut?
Last year’s increase to the tax raised concerns from French aviation groups. A joint statement from the National Federation of Aviation and its Professionals and the Union of French Airports said the tax “very directly threatens the future of French business aviation and further weakens French airlines.”
The tax rise also drew criticism from Irish Airline Ryanair, who described it as “excessive”. The company later cited the increase to TSBA as a reason for its decision to cut 25 of its French routes, announced in July 2025, and shut down its operations of three French airports.
“Unless the government changes course and abolishes this unfair tax, Ryanair’s capacity and investment in France will inevitable be redirected to more competitive European markets” said Ryanair chief commercial officer Jason McGuinness.
What has been announced?
What has been announced?
The newly announced cuts to TSBA will apply to 26 PSO routes, which are considered vital to one or more of France’s regional economies. 16 of these are operated by one of the French regional airlines: Chalair, Twin Jet, or Air Corsica, potentially addressing the concerns of those worried that TSBA would damage smaller airlines.
The Transport Ministry have stated that the lower tax rates for these routes were proposed when the re-designed TSBA system was first implemented by February 2025’s national budget. It could not legally be introduced without approval from the European Commission however, which has only recently been granted.
“By making these connections more financially accessible” hopes Tabarot, “this measure reflects the government’s commitment to supporting connectivity.”
Will you be flying around France this summer? If so, let us know how the tax reductions will impact your journey in the comments.
