Image credit – iStock-530089923France, Spain and Kenya are among a group of countries leading a campaign at the COP30 climate summit to impose a new tax on luxury air travel, an informed source told AFP.
Because this proposal is rooted in the idea that a small elite of privileged travelers should pay more for their outsized contribution to global warming, the proposal would likely pit them against the powerful airline industry.
Diplomats from the coalition, which includes more than 10 countries, are pushing for more to participate.
“We want to expand the alliance and, in particular, bring in more European countries,” the source said.
Business and first class seats carry nearly three times more greenhouse gas emissions than an economy ticket, while private jets emit up to 14 times more per passenger per kilometer than commercial flights.
Countries that do not yet have such a tax will be obligated to impose a fee on business and first-class tickets, as well as private jets.
Countries that are already doing so – such as France – have pledged greater ambition, at more aggressive and progressive rates. In practical terms, this may mean a dedicated surcharge for first class travel.
For private aircraft, the tax could be linked to kerosene consumption, although other mechanisms are under discussion.
The initiative is led by the Global Solidarity Charges Task Force, a group launched in 2023 and co-chaired by Barbados, Kenya and France.
They chose the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil and billed as a moment for countries to move from climate pledges to action, as the launch pad for their proposal.
– ‘It’s only fair’ –
“We need innovative and fair financing,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday at a leaders’ summit ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), which begins on Monday.
“Together with Kenya, Spain, Somalia, Benin, Sierra Leone and Antigua and Barbuda, we have made significant progress towards a greater contribution from the aviation sector to adaptation,” he said. This group of countries also includes Djibouti and South Sudan.
“It is only fair that those who have the most, and therefore the most polluting, pay their fair share,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Friday.
The move is likely to face headwinds from airlines, including Air France, which in March unveiled a new version of its “La Premiere” cabin — the first update since 2014.
Designed for long-haul Boeing 777 aircraft, the ‘suites’ will feature five windows, an armchair and a chaise longue that converts into a bed.
Proponents of the tax believe that demand for ultra-luxury travel is weakly affected by price, and that wealthy people will continue to travel even if tickets become slightly more expensive.
“Properly designed aviation taxes can raise predictable revenues for climate and development finance, while promoting equity and solidarity,” the coalition of countries says, in a new document explaining the rationale.
Proponents cite the Maldives as an example. The tourism-dependent island nation has hefty departure taxes: $120 for business class, $240 for first class, and $480 for private jets.
“There is no reason why other countries cannot do the same,” the source told AFP.
