Spain proposes new air travel taxes

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has proposed new taxes on air travel in a bid to limit the sector’s damage on the environment. Similar to legislation in France, the new Spanish restrictions – part of a broader measure called Spain 2050 – could include a tax on frequent travellers and short-haul flights, as well as the possible prohibition of plane journeys for routes which could be covered in less than 2-1/2 hours by train. Airline lobbyists have reacted angrily to the proposals, commenting that it will devastate tourism already severely damaged by the pandemic.