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French pilots' union flags strike to protest tax hike on airline company tickets

French pilots' union SNPL is calling for strike action on Thursday to protest against a. government proposal to triple the levy on flight tickets as part. of broader plans to plug a hole in France's state spending plan, a. spokesperson stated on Sunday.

WHY IT IS NECESSARY

The strike notice, which concerns Air France as. well as other carriers with pilots on French labour agreements,. comes as the government hurries to press its draft spending plan for next. year over the line, regardless of doing not have a majority in parliament.

KEY QUOTE

This additional tax will eventually cause tens of. countless job losses in France, the union said in a. declaration, including: This social disaster will go together. with the weakening of French operators or those running. frequently in France compared to their European and worldwide. competitors.

CONTEXT

The government's suggested boost in the air travel levy on. flights to or from France combines an immediate requirement for more tax. income with ecological goals however has actually triggered anger in the. aviation sector.

Raising the levy, particularly for long-haul flights, is. supposed to produce additional revenue of 1 billion euros. ($ 1.07 billion) next year.

The step was included in the present variation of the draft. spending plan through a change.

However, given that the bill is the subject of political. haggling between a hung National Assembly, the. conservative-controlled Senate and Prime Minister Michel. Barnier's government, it is uncertain if the levy will be part of. the final budget text.

It stays to be seen the number of pilots might abandon. Thursday or how flight schedules may be impacted.

(source: Reuters)