Since the beginning of the 2000s, the governments of several European countries have started to tax airline tickets. They want to ask airlines to pay under various names in order to improve the state coffers. 

Depending on the provider, these are added to the flight price or borne by the airline, which is formally liable for the tax. The latter is the case if the ticket price paid is lower than the tax charged by the state. There are many different approaches within those EU states that earn a basket of money. For example, Austria taxes short-haul flights absurdly high, while long-haul connections are comparatively cheap. Switchers are largely exempt. 

It has long been known that airlines are completely against such taxes. But the tactics have now changed, as only a few providers are now calling for the general abolition of ticket taxes. What we want to achieve is that the income is earmarked for the further development of aviation. For example, some industry players want it to be used to provide subsidies for electric aircraft and/or research into alternative drives. 

In countries like Germany or Austria, this wishful thinking is very far away, because the influence of the Greens apparently means that there is no longer any secret about the fact that the revenue from ticket taxes is intended to be used to cross-subsidize rail transport. The passengers have not had any of this so far, because ticket prices have not fallen yet, but have been gradually increased by Deutsche Bahn and Austrian Federal Railways. The VAT reduction on train tickets that was hyped in Germany has – as was to be expected – now completely evaporated after initial minimal price reductions. In general, very little is known about the actual use of revenue from ticket taxes. 

Denmark promises to take a different path. From 2025, they want to introduce a ticket tax based on the duration of the flight. The equivalent of around eight euros is expected to be due within Europe, around 32 euros to North America and around 52,30 euros to Asia. The income should flow into the decarbonization of aviation. The Danish government also wants to use the proceeds to support smaller airports.