Navigating France's New Private Jet Tax: What AirWise Clients Need to Know for Nice and Paris Departures

A Major Change in France’s Private Aviation Landscape

From March 1, 2025, a new departure tax on private jet passengers officially takes effect in France, reshaping the financial and operational framework for business aviation. The measure applies to all non-scheduled flights, including private charters, business jets, and repositioning flights departing from French airports such as Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (LFMN), Paris Le Bourget (LFPB), Cannes Mandelieu (LFMD), Marseille Provence (LFML), and Toulon Hyères (LFTH).

While the government’s goal is fiscal contribution and environmental alignment, this tax introduces a complex layer of cost management for private operators, charter brokers, and aircraft owners.

At AirWise Executive Flight Support, our role is to ensure that these new rules never interfere with operational efficiency. Our locally licensed team at Nice—with full airside ramp access and regulatory accreditation—is already fully equipped to integrate this tax seamlessly into pricing, planning, and compliance processes.

Understanding the 2025 Private Jet Departure Tax

The regulation introduces a tiered passenger tax based on destination range and aircraft engine type. The structure applies per passenger, per departure. Below is a clear overview:

Destination	Service Category	Tax (in Euros)
European Destination	Standard	€7.4
	With Additional Services	€30.0
	Business Aircraft with Turboprop	€210.0
	Business Aircraft with Jet Engine	€420.0
Intermediate Destination	Standard	€15.0
	With Additional Services	€80.0
	Business Aircraft with Turboprop	€675.0
	Business Aircraft with Jet Engine	€1015.0
Distant Destination	Standard	€40.0
	With Additional Services	€120.0
	Business Aircraft with Turboprop	€1025.0
	Business Aircraft with Jet Engine	€2100.0

For domestic flights within France, a 10% VAT applies—so a €420 tax becomes €462. This includes positioning flights that depart with passengers onboard.

It’s worth noting that this fee applies to all passengers, including owners and guests, and is not covered by standard FBO or handling fees.

How This Impacts Private Jet Operations

For most AirWise clients, the impact will depend on destination, aircraft type, and departure point:

• A flight from Nice (LFMN) to Geneva (LSGG) aboard a Gulfstream G600 will trigger a €420 per-passenger fee.

• A Paris Le Bourget (LFPB) to Dubai (OMDB) route aboard a Bombardier Global 7500 incurs a €1 015 tax per passenger.

• A Nice to New York (KTEB) long-haul flight on a Falcon 8X will be taxed €2 100 per passenger.

• A domestic repositioning leg, such as Nice–Paris, adds the 10% VAT on top.

While the amounts seem modest in relative operational budgets, they can quickly accumulate on full charters. A 10-passenger flight from Nice to London on a jet-engine aircraft results in €4 200 in new fees—a cost previously non-existent in the French charter structure.

AirWise: Turning Complexity into Clarity

Our philosophy at AirWise has always been operational transparency and client protection. Here’s how we handle the new taxation framework:

1. Integrated Quotation SystemAll AirWise quotes now automatically include the applicable tax in the total estimate—no hidden extras, no post-flight adjustments.

2. Compliance ManagementOur local team handles the reporting, declaration, and payment logistics directly with French authorities, ensuring your operation remains compliant at all times.

3. Advisory on Departure AirportsFor repeat operators or aircraft owners with multiple European bases, our advisors provide cost comparisons between French and nearby non-French airports (e.g., Albenga, Genoa, Milan, or Geneva).

4. Tax Optimisation StrategyWe help identify cases where technical stops or cross-border departures can be leveraged to mitigate total tax exposure without compromising convenience or schedule.

5. 24/7 AssistanceThe AirWise Operations Control Centre remains open around the clock, providing real-time support during every stage of your rotation—from slot coordination to ground handling, catering, and departure documentation.

Why France Implemented the New Private Jet Tax

The 2025 fiscal framework was designed to create a revenue stream from luxury and non-commercial transport sectors. It follows a broader European tendency toward aligning business aviation with environmental and fiscal accountability objectives.

This tax forms part of a larger political and regulatory strategy, positioning private aviation as a contributor to public finance while encouraging operators to adopt greener technologies, SAF usage, and lower-emission fleets.

However, it is crucial to understand that the fee is not linked to carbon offsetting programs. It is purely a departure tax, not a sustainability credit or emissions levy.

Comparison: LFMN vs LFPB vs LFMD

Airport	ICAO	Typical Use	Impact of 2025 Tax	Notes
Nice Côte d’Azur	LFMN	Riviera gateway for Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez	High volume of private jet departures, full tax applies	AirWise fully licensed, handles 24/7 slot and tax integration
Paris Le Bourget	LFPB	Europe’s busiest business aviation hub	Tax applies on all departures	Longer-haul flights most affected due to higher rate tiers
Cannes Mandelieu	LFMD	Regional hub for small/medium jets	Subject to same tax	Short runway, turboprops often used for sub-regional flights
Toulon Hyères	LFTH	Military/civil mixed-use airport	Tax applies; fewer private movements	Useful for government and diplomatic operations
Marseille Provence	LFML	Industrial and corporate flights	Full tax application	Alternate for southern France and charter logistics

Case Study: Albenga (LIMG) — A Smart Cross-Border Alternative

Scenario:A frequent AirWise client operates a Challenger 650 for regular Riviera–Geneva rotations. With the introduction of the new tax, each departure from Nice now incurs €420 per passenger. For six passengers, that’s €2 520 per leg—in addition to standard handling, parking, and catering costs.

Solution:AirWise proposed a cost-optimized operational plan through Albenga Airport (LIMG), located in Italy, just over 90 km from Nice. While Albenga is smaller, it offers customs availability, quick ground access to Monaco or Cannes via helicopter, and—most importantly—is not subject to the French departure tax.

Execution:AirWise arranged:

• A technical repositioning of the aircraft overnight from Nice to Albenga.

• Full supervision and ground coordination with local Italian handlers.

• Crew transport and hotel logistics managed through AirWise’s concierge division.

• Passenger transfer from Monaco directly to Albenga via helicopter.

Outcome:The client saved more than €5 000 in tax costs over two rotations per week—without any operational delay or reduction in comfort.

This model demonstrates how local expertise and cross-border coordination make AirWise a strategic partner in cost optimization—not only a ground handler, but a flight operations advisor in the fullest sense.

Wider Implications for European Operators

For operators based outside France but frequently routing through the Côte d’Azur or Paris, this tax introduces a shift in how route planning and client billing are structured.

• Broker networks must ensure the new fees are itemized transparently in quotes.

• Aircraft owners flying privately (not for charter) are equally subject to the tax.

• Empty-leg repositioning for maintenance, ferry, or crew training flights are exempt only if no passengers are onboard.

• Multi-leg itineraries starting outside France but connecting through Nice or Paris will incur the tax only on the departure leg from France, not the arrival.

AirWise’s role is to ensure clients don’t face misapplied or duplicate taxation—a risk that can arise when itineraries involve multiple French airports or back-to-back short hops.

How AirWise Simplifies Compliance

1. Advance Declaration: We register and declare each passenger manifest with corresponding tax liability in advance of the flight.

2. Integrated Billing: The tax amount appears directly on your AirWise invoice under “Passenger Departure Tax,” eliminating separate payments or administrative delays.

3. Slot Protection: We coordinate directly with DSNA/CDM France and Eurocontrol to maintain accurate slot allocations even during peak hours, preventing late departures that could complicate tax filings.

4. Concierge Continuity: Our in-house concierge branch manages everything from airside guest escort to luxury inflight catering and restaurant pickups, ensuring consistency despite the regulatory changes.

France’s 2025 Private Jet Tax in Perspective

While the measure adds cost, it does not diminish the appeal of French business aviation hubs. Nice remains one of Europe’s most efficient, secure, and service-oriented airports for private flights—especially with AirWise’s 24/7 on-site supervision and exclusive ramp access.

Clients benefit from:

• Unmatched Riviera positioning close to Monaco and Cannes.

• Immediate access to helicopter transfers, customs, and VIP lounges.

• Local AirWise supervisors handling all permits, taxes, and coordination.

• Partnerships with premium caterers and restaurants (including Giraudi Group and Michelin-star establishments).

In comparison, smaller regional airports—such as Albenga, Le Castellet (LFMQ), or Avignon (LFMV)—offer alternatives for tax reduction or lighter landing fees but lack the infrastructure and luxury standards that define AirWise’s service level at Nice.

Conclusion: Turning Policy into Precision

Regulation changes often disrupt private aviation—but only for those unprepared. At AirWise, they become an opportunity to demonstrate strategic foresight, operational mastery, and client dedication.

Our fully licensed French team provides:

• Transparent, compliant billing including the 2025 tax.

• Full handling and slot management across Nice, Paris, Marseille, Toulon, and Cannes.

• International coordination with Italian, Swiss, and Monegasque airports.

• Dedicated 24/7 supervision from aircraft arrival to wheels-up.

The 2025 private jet tax may be France’s new rule—but with AirWise by your side, your travel remains seamless, controlled, and optimised across every mile.