IATA Statement on Premium Flyers Solidarity Coalition Declaration

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) dismissed the Premium Flyers Solidarity Coalition Declaration, emphasizing that the proposed tax on air travelers lacks any credible analysis of the negative effects it may have on the countries it aims to support.

IATA’s Position
- Dismissal of the Proposal: IATA rejected the coalition’s call for a new tax on premium-class airline passengers, arguing it lacks credible analysis and would harm the very economies it aims to support.

Counterproductive Impact:
- Taxes do not directly reduce emissions.
- They risk undermining connectivity, distorting competition, and slowing economic development in regions—especially small island states and developing economies—that rely heavily on aviation.

Climate Finance & Emissions
- CORSIA as the Global Solution:
- Aviation is already committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
- Through CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation), airlines are expected to offset over 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ between 2024–2035, investing $30–60 billion in climate finance.
- CORSIA is the only globally agreed market-based measure for managing CO₂ emissions in any industrial sector. - Warning Against Overlaps: - Additional levies like the Premium Flyers Solidarity tax risk double charging and regulatory confusion.
- Governments reaffirmed CORSIA’s exclusive role at the ICAO Assembly, cautioning against duplicative measures.

What IATA Calls For
- Government Action Needed:
- Release more CORSIA credits to boost climate finance.
- Support production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), which are critical to long-term decarbonization.
- Industry View: Aviation should be seen as an economic catalyst, not a cash cow.

📌 This statement underscores a tension: while the coalition seeks new funding streams through taxation, IATA insists that globally coordinated mechanisms (like CORSIA) and SAF investment are the only effective pathways to balance climate goals with economic development.