Reuters: France to seek minimum price for flights in Europe
France to seek minimum price for flights in EuropeBy Kate Abnett
September 19, 2023 12:54 PM EDT
BRUSSELS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - France will seek support from other European Union countries for a minimum price on flights in Europe, in a bid to reduce the aviation sector's contribution to climate change, Transport Minister Clement Beaune has said.
The move, if approved, would hit airlines offering super-cheap fares. But it may struggle to win sufficient support among EU countries, which include island nations that rely on air transport, and regions with tourism sectors buoyed by low-cost flights.
France's aim is to "open the debate on the fair social and environmental price of a flight ticket," Beaune said in written comments.
"It's not a question of multiplying by ten the price of tickets. Why? Because there are also people who take a plane once in their life, who don't have much money - it's also a freedom, a means of transportation that can't be reserved for only the rich," he said.