Swiss politicians reject tax on certain private and business jet flights
Flights by private and business jets weighing 5.7 tonnes or more will not be taxed in Switzerland. By 108 votes to 87, the House of Representatives refused to introduce this new tax into the CO2 Law – to the dismay of the political left and the Centre Party.
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The tax would amount to between CHF500 ($580) and CHF3,000 per flight, which would be allocated to climate protection measures, explained Delphine Klopfenstein Broggini from the Green Party on behalf of the committee. The aim is to ensure that additional financial resources are available to meet the ambitious targets.
Matthias Samuel Jauslin from the Liberal Green Party recalled that this idea had been rejected by voters in the 2021 referendum. “We have to ask ourselves whether it is legitimate and correct to present it again.” He pointed out that business aviation is important in certain regions, citing Sion and Lugano airports.
Environment Minister Albert Rösti added that the industry had already made a commitment in a declaration of intent to offset emissions voluntarily and to use synthetic fuels. The Senate also rejected such a measure in September.
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