Belgian government is considering a tax on commercial flights

Following the Netherlands, Belgium will propose to its European partners to introduce a European taxation on commercial aviation, reported Belgian news outlet Le Soir. It could be a tax on aircraft fuel, currently exempt from any tax, or a VAT on airline tickets.

The discussion will take place at the Council of Environment Ministers next Tuesday at the request of the new Flemish Minister for the Environment, Koen Van den Heuvel (CD & V). Walloon Minister Jean-Luc Crucke (MR) will defend the Belgian proposal.

In a note given to its partners, the Belgian delegation recommends, « a fair and correct pricing of air transport with regard to its impact on the environment. Currently, there is no taxation on kerosene nor VAT on airline tickets. More environmentally friendly modes of transport such as the railways are more taxed than air transport. »