Belgium Will Tax Private Jets to Reduce Noise and Air Pollution
Source: https://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/belgium-tax-private-jets-1234784736/
Author: MICHAEL VERDON
Belgium has announced it will levy new taxes on private jets as well as older, noisier commercial aircraft as part of a scheme to reduce noise and air pollution. The new taxes will start on April 1, 2023. Until now, private jets have been exempt from the tax. Gilkinet noted in the statement that “pollution per passenger is much higher” than commercial flights. The fees for private jets would be based on the aircraft’s age as well as time of the flight. The government hopes to discourage night flights. Belgium’s decision to tax business jets follows statements by Christophe Bechu, France’s environment minister, in October that his government was in favor of doing the same next year. Under the proposal, France would revise its tax structure on aircraft fuel so that it aligns with car fuels. Some leftist members of the ruling coalition have called for an outright ban on private jets, but that would be highly unlikely. Private jets have become a hot-button political issue in France. Scientists have protested in front of business-jet maker Dassault’s headquars in Paris, while others participated in “sit-ins” in multiple countries that effectively shut down private airports. The protestors are calling for private jets to be banned.