News
France launches air tax to fund HIV treatments
06 July 2006
France has introduced a new tax on air travel that will go to fund drug treatment for HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in the developing world.
The tax will cost between 70p and £28 depending on the distance travelled and it is hoped it will raise £144 million a year for the UN programme run by Unitaid.
French foreign affairs minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told the magazine Pharmaceutiques: "Its advantage is that it's a small amount of money compared with the cost of air transport.
"At this stage, 14 countries have already expressed their intention to introduce the levy, including emerging and European countries active on the development front."
Passengers that pay the tax will receive a luggage tag stating: "Je voyage solidaire avec Unitaid."
Other countries that have come to join the programme and start the tax include Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Jordan, Mauritius, and Norway.
The tax is collected by airlines when tickets are sold, before being passed to the UN.
© Adfero Ltd
The tax will cost between 70p and £28 depending on the distance travelled and it is hoped it will raise £144 million a year for the UN programme run by Unitaid.
French foreign affairs minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told the magazine Pharmaceutiques: "Its advantage is that it's a small amount of money compared with the cost of air transport.
"At this stage, 14 countries have already expressed their intention to introduce the levy, including emerging and European countries active on the development front."
Passengers that pay the tax will receive a luggage tag stating: "Je voyage solidaire avec Unitaid."
Other countries that have come to join the programme and start the tax include Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Jordan, Mauritius, and Norway.
The tax is collected by airlines when tickets are sold, before being passed to the UN.
© Adfero Ltd
 |  |
Related stories
05 February 2008
- Zakopane to get its own airport >
12 July 2007
- Classical celebrations in Poland >
15 August 2006
- Security restrictions spread to Poland, France and Italy >
14 August 2006
- Belize focuses on safety >
- Security alert ups online activity >
- Hurricane warning downgraded >
- Zakopane to get its own airport >
12 July 2007
- Classical celebrations in Poland >
15 August 2006
- Security restrictions spread to Poland, France and Italy >
14 August 2006
- Belize focuses on safety >
- Security alert ups online activity >
- Hurricane warning downgraded >
