France has introduced a significant tax reduction on 26 specific flight routes, aiming to make air travel more affordable for passengers. The move, effective from June 1, 2026, sees the solidarity tax on airplane tickets (TSBA) slashed by 65 percent on selected domestic and international routes, saving travelers €4.77 per ticket.
Background of the Tax Change
The TSBA, originally introduced in 2005 under President Jacques Chirac, was raised in March 2025 from €2.63 to €7.40 per passenger for all flights departing from France. Now, passengers on certain routes will see the tax return to the original rate of €2.63. French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot confirmed the update, stating that the measure reflects the government's commitment to supporting connectivity in less well-served regions and reducing the cost of air travel to and from these destinations.
Affected Routes
The discount applies to 26 routes, primarily domestic flights within France, including connections to Corsica and international links to Strasbourg. The full list of routes includes:
- Calvi-Marseille
- Ajaccio-Paris (Orly)
- La Rochelle–Lyon
- Ajaccio-Nice
- Brive–Paris
- Rodez–Paris
- Strasbourg–Madrid
- Strasbourg–Munich
- Bastia-Nice
- Figari-Paris (Orly)
- Tarbes–Paris
- Calvi-Paris (Orly)
- Calvi-Nice
- Brest–Ouessant
- Bastia-Paris (Orly)
- Limoges–Lyon
- Figari-Nice
- Poitiers–Lyon
- Aurillac–Paris
- Bastia-Marseille
- Strasbourg-Copenhagen
- Limoges–Paris
- Figari-Marseille
- Ajaccio-Marseille
- Castres–Paris
- Le Puy–Paris
Impact on British Travelers
France attracts around four million visits from UK travelers annually. While the affected routes are mostly domestic, British tourists flying to Paris from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, or Southampton could benefit indirectly if they connect to these regional routes. Air France, for example, operates flights to Paris Charles de Gaulle from multiple UK airports.
The routes have been designated as 'public service' routes because they serve areas with limited transport alternatives, where flying is often the only fast connection. The tax reduction aims to maintain affordability and accessibility for these regions.
The TSBA is an additional fee added to each plane ticket, charged at a sliding rate based on flight length and class. Previously doubled in 2024, the increase was blamed by Ryanair for its withdrawal from some regional French airports.
