The Swiss Federal Assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new proposal that will see charges of US$30-$120 levied on tickets for air travel originating or landing in the country.
Some 135 of 195 members backed the deal, which was first floated (and knocked back) in late 2018.
The news comes after scientists with the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned that temperatures in the alpine country are rising at nearly twice the speed of neighbouring countries.
Though regional carriers have warned the move will likely prove damaging for the country’s struggling aviation sector, climate groups argue they don’t go far enough.
Swiss regional carrier Helvetic Airways labelled the changes a “clear distortion of competition”, arguing that it would disproportionately favour European airlines that operate few flights to and from Switzerland.
The Zurich-based airline also made the case that the tax was far too low to actually discourage the Swiss population from flying, and said that the new tax “comes at the worst possible time”.
Like much of Europe, the Swiss aviation sector has been battered by the coronavirus pandemic. On 5 May, the government approved US$1.34 billion in loan guarantees, which were directed largely towards flag carrier Swiss Air Lines and sister airline Edelweiss.
The Federal Assembly claims that “nearly half” of the proceeds will be directed towards emissions-reduction initiatives, but has yet to provide details of the plan.
Dramatic changes were also made to fuel imports, raising tariffs to US$0.13 per litre by 2025. This works out to a sixfold increase on current levels.
