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Why are flights cheaper than trains in Europe? (www.euronews.com)
submitted 3 years ago by to c/europe@feddit.de
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[โ€“] 19 points 3 years ago (5 children)

Now I don't agree with it (in fact, I am strongly opposed to the tax exemption), but the reasoning is that this way you create an 'even playing field' for aviators all across the globe. In other words: it's doesn't become more attractive to tank in Arab Gulf states, making their airlines out-compete European airlines.

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  • [โ€“] 42 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    That's always the excuse they make. But it's highly flawed. You can tax the planes that land in your country. They can't evade landing in your country, and they don't get to decide where people want to go.

    Either they are complete hypocrites or they are the most useless idiots when it comes to finding solutions.

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  • [โ€“] 6 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    I think the issue is solvable for continental flights, but it becomes really difficult for international flights. At least not unless you get others to also support it, for which many sadly wont have any incentive.

    Want to tax the whole distance rather than just the portion flown within the airspace you control (which will be minimized as much as possible)? Airlines will split up long distance flights by utilizing airport hubs just outside your jurisdiction. Giving those a major advantage and moving a substantial business away.

    Combat this by taxing on an airline level? Airlines will just split into two entities, one serving europe and the other the rest of the world. Again leading to a loss for your economy. And at least for long international distances there is no alternative to flying.

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  • [โ€“] 13 points 3 years ago* (last edited 3 years ago) (1 child)

    But this could be said about every industry, right? Oh, if we would be not be taxed, we would be more competitive worldwide.

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  • [โ€“] 4 points 3 years ago (1 child)

    Indeed, but aviation is slightly more mobile than say steel production. It's a bad excuse nonetheless, if you ask me!

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  • [โ€“] 10 points 3 years ago (2 children)

    It's not like the plane has much of an option where to tank. Planes don't tank more than needed for any flight. I struggle to comprehend this point

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  • [โ€“] 5 points 3 years ago

    Planes don't tank more than needed for any flight.

    That is just an objectivly wrong statement.

    Fueling doesn't happend instandly and the whole process (inluding new fuel calculations, calling the Fuel-Crew, driving up and attaching/detatching the tanker, signing off paperwork, etc) can take up to an hour, without a single drop of fuel being filled into the tanks.

    Planes often fly multiple short hops, well below they maximum possible range (e.g. between the Hawaiian Islands). If the pilots calculate, that they can stay below there landing weight, then they might opt to take fuel for multiple flights. Burning a few hundred kilos more fuel costs less than having a full crew twiddling there thumbs & letting ground personal run around for an hour.

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