Stay Grounded and New Economics Foundation published a study on the Frequent Flying Levy (FFL) in Europe, based on economic modeling by CE Delft and a legal assessment by AdaStone Law.

The report is published in several languages, and with partners: Possible (UK), Ecologistas en Acción (ES), Bond Beter Leefmilieu (BE), 2DegreeCelsius (RO), Rester sur Terre (FR), New Weather Institute (SW), and further collaborations. The Frequent Flying Levy is a tax levied on all airline tickets. It aims to limit excessive flights, which are usually taken by high-income passengers. It will cut air traffic without making flights more expensive for 72% of us, who don’t fly often. This progressive policy raises the tax rate of the FFL incrementally after every two single flights taken. In other words, there is no levy on the first return flight each year, a 50€ levy on the second, 100 € on the third, and so on. The FFL would replace existing ticket taxes. Currently jet-fuel is untaxed in most countries. If this tax exemption is continued, we propose as a second component a distance-based surcharge. The reason for this is that longer flights burn much more jet fuel and are therefore more polluting. This second component of the FFL would cease to be necessary, as soon as a kerosene tax is implemented. A third component is a surcharge on business/first class seats, as these take up much more space and are therefore more polluting.

Flying, the most energy-intensive and polluting form of transport, is unevenly distributed within and between countries. 1% of the world population produces 50% of aviation emissions, while 80% have never set foot on an aeroplane. In western Europe, where 80% of the highest-income households fly at least once a year, just 30% do so from the lowest-income households. Climate measures for aviation to-date are insufficient for the short- to long-term, and overly reliant on technologies that do not yet exist at scale and are not truly sustainable. It is therefore key to reduce air traffic. While a variety of measures like a kerosene tax or limits at airports are important, most of them would directly or indirectly lead to higher ticket prices. Therefore, they should be complemented by fair social policies. The Frequent Flying Levy (FFL) is a measure that could contribute to solving the aforementioned issues. This progressive tax targets excessive pollution by frequent flyers, who are mostly wealthy, while allowing access to affordable occasional flights for lower income groups. The FFL could raise substantial revenues which could be utilised for the enormous finance gaps for a just transition, mitigation and global climate finance. You can sign the petition to urge politicians to discuss the proposal for a Frequent Flying Levy and proceed with its implementation as soon as possible.

Links:
A Frequent Flying Levy in Europe

It’s High Time for a Frequent Flying Levy – petition