The government is implementing, from June 1, 2026, a reduction in the passenger air transport tax (TSBA) for certain air routes deemed essential to territorial development.
Announced by Philippe Tabarot, Minister of Transport, this measure targets routes operated under a public service obligation (PSO) and under a public service delegation (DSP).
The scheme reduces by 65 % the amount of tax applied to each ticket, dropping it from 7.40 euros to 2.63 euros.
Planned by the initial 2025 finance law, this reduction was conditioned on the prior agreement of the European Commission. French authorities had begun talks with Brussels since the law’s enactment. Following these exchanges, the Commission confirmed the measure’s compatibility with EU law, thus paving the way for its entry into force.
Announced by Philippe Tabarot, Minister of Transport, this measure targets routes operated under a public service obligation (PSO) and under a public service delegation (DSP).
The scheme reduces by 65 % the amount of tax applied to each ticket, dropping it from 7.40 euros to 2.63 euros.
Planned by the initial 2025 finance law, this reduction was conditioned on the prior agreement of the European Commission. French authorities had begun talks with Brussels since the law’s enactment. Following these exchanges, the Commission confirmed the measure’s compatibility with EU law, thus paving the way for its entry into force.
The government is working to extend the scheme to overseas territories.
The measure covers, notably, several metropolitan routes serving towns such as Aurillac, Brive, Le Puy-en-Velay or Rodez. It also includes connections between Corsica and the mainland, notably to Paris-Orly, Marseille and Nice, as well as the links connecting Strasbourg to various European metropolises and the Brest–Ouessant line. In total, 26 air routes are affected.
The decree implementing this reduction was published on May 31, 2026.
“By making these routes more financially accessible, this measure reflects the Government’s will to support the connectivity of the least-served territories and to ease the cost of air travel to and from these destinations,” stated Philippe Tabarot.
The minister also indicated that the government would continue its work to extend a similar scheme to overseas territories.
The European Commission, however, regarded the mechanism provided for in the finance law for Overseas routes as not legally retainable in its current form. “We therefore actively pursue the work started to find a solid and appropriate legal solution for our Overseas Territories,” he added.
The decree implementing this reduction was published on May 31, 2026.
“By making these routes more financially accessible, this measure reflects the Government’s will to support the connectivity of the least-served territories and to ease the cost of air travel to and from these destinations,” stated Philippe Tabarot.
The minister also indicated that the government would continue its work to extend a similar scheme to overseas territories.
The European Commission, however, regarded the mechanism provided for in the finance law for Overseas routes as not legally retainable in its current form. “We therefore actively pursue the work started to find a solid and appropriate legal solution for our Overseas Territories,” he added.
Here are the 26 routes affected by the air ticket tax reduction:
– Aurillac – Paris ;
– Brive – Paris ;
– Le Puy – Paris ;
– Castres – Paris ;
– Rodez – Paris ;
– Limoges – Paris ;
– Tarbes – Paris ;
– Brest – Ouessant ;
– Limoges – Lyon ;
– La Rochelle – Lyon ;
– Poitiers – Lyon ;
– Strasbourg – Madrid ;
– Strasbourg – Munich ;
– Strasbourg – Copenhagen ;
– Ajaccio – Paris (Orly) ;
– Bastia – Paris (Orly) ;
– Calvi – Paris (Orly) ;
– Figari – Paris (Orly) ;
– Bastia – Marseille ;
– Bastia – Nice ;
– Calvi – Marseille ;
– Calvi – Nice ;
– Ajaccio – Marseille ;
– Ajaccio – Nice ;
– Figari – Marseille ;
– Figari – Nice.
– Brive – Paris ;
– Le Puy – Paris ;
– Castres – Paris ;
– Rodez – Paris ;
– Limoges – Paris ;
– Tarbes – Paris ;
– Brest – Ouessant ;
– Limoges – Lyon ;
– La Rochelle – Lyon ;
– Poitiers – Lyon ;
– Strasbourg – Madrid ;
– Strasbourg – Munich ;
– Strasbourg – Copenhagen ;
– Ajaccio – Paris (Orly) ;
– Bastia – Paris (Orly) ;
– Calvi – Paris (Orly) ;
– Figari – Paris (Orly) ;
– Bastia – Marseille ;
– Bastia – Nice ;
– Calvi – Marseille ;
– Calvi – Nice ;
– Ajaccio – Marseille ;
– Ajaccio – Nice ;
– Figari – Marseille ;
– Figari – Nice.
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