AIRPORT TAXES
Airport tax refund:
what can you recover?
Bought a plane ticket but ended up not taking your flight? Even if your ticket is non-refundable, certain airport taxes and passenger fees can sometimes be recoverable when you did not board.
The rule to remember is simple: you cannot always recover the ticket price, but you can sometimes recover certain taxes linked to an unused service.
Guides by airline · Message templates · Step-by-step procedure · No guaranteed refund
If you did not take your flight, certain airport taxes may be refundable, even when the ticket is non-refundable. In France, the Consumer Code states that itemized taxes and fees whose applicability depends on the passenger actually boarding must be refunded when the ticket is no longer valid and was not used for transport.
To make the request, you need to identify the seller of the ticket, prepare your booking information, distinguish the recoverable taxes from the non-refundable fees, then send a clear request.
Refundable airport taxes: understanding your rights and preparing your request
The price of a plane ticket does not only correspond to the price of the transport. It can include several elements: the airfare, airport taxes, passenger fees, security fees, carrier surcharges, service fees, options, baggage, seats or insurance.
When you do not use your ticket, not all of these elements are treated the same way. The airfare may remain non-refundable, but certain taxes linked to actually boarding can be requested.
Definition: what is an airport tax?
An airport tax is an amount included in the price of a plane ticket and linked, depending on the case, to the use of airport infrastructure, passenger services, safety, security or other obligations related to air transport.
In everyday language, travelers often use the term "airport taxes" to refer to every tax and fee line shown on a ticket. In practice, not every line shown as a tax or fee is necessarily refundable.
Definition: what does an airport tax refund mean?
An airport tax refund refers to a request for certain taxes and fees included in the ticket price to be paid back when the passenger did not board. This is not an automatic refund of the full ticket.
The request only concerns the recoverable taxes and fees, in particular those whose applicability depends on the passenger actually boarding.
Key facts
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Topic | Airport tax refund |
| Main situation | Passenger who did not board |
| Non-refundable ticket | The ticket price may remain non-refundable |
| Potentially recoverable taxes | Airport tax, passenger fee, depending on the case |
| Automatic request | No, you often need to make it yourself |
| Contact | Airline or agency depending on the purchase channel |
| French legal deadline | 30 days maximum after the request is received |
| Offline fees | Maximum 20% of the amount refunded in France |
| Refund guaranteed? | No |
Which airport taxes can be refunded?
| Item | Can it be refunded? | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Airport tax | Yes, in certain cases | Often mentioned in the case of a no-show |
| Passenger fee | Yes, in certain cases | May depend on actually boarding |
| Security fees | Variable | Depends on the country and the ticket details |
| Government tax | Variable | Some airlines use this term |
| Carrier surcharge | Often not | May be shown as a "tax" but remain non-refundable |
| Baggage / seat / option | Generally not | These are separate options |
| Insurance | Variable | Depends on the insurance contract |
What French regulations say
In France, article L224-66 of the Consumer Code provides for the refund of itemized taxes and fees, shown as such in the ticket price, when their applicability depends on the passenger actually boarding and the ticket is no longer valid and was not used for transport.
The same article sets out three important points: the refund must be made no later than 30 days after the request is received, the request can be submitted by any means, including online, and the refund is free when the request is submitted online. Offline fees cannot exceed 20% of the amount refunded.
How to request an airport tax refund?
The exact procedure may vary, but the general logic remains the same.
Check whether you boarded
A request for an airport tax refund generally concerns an unused ticket for a passenger who did not take their flight.
Check the breakdown of the ticket
Look at your receipt, e-ticket or invoice. Look for lines such as "taxes", "airport tax", "passenger charge", "government tax", "QW", "QX"...
Identify the seller of the ticket
The request should be sent to the seller: the airline for a direct purchase, or the agency/OTA if bought via Opodo, eDreams, Expedia, Booking or Trip.com.
Prepare the necessary information
Passenger name, booking reference, ticket number, flight number, flight date, booking email and detail of the price paid.
Word a clear request
Avoid "I want a refund for my ticket": specifically request a refund of the recoverable airport taxes and fees.
Keep proof
The message sent, the date sent, a screenshot of the form, an acknowledgment of receipt and any replies received.
Follow up if necessary
In France, the Consumer Code provides for a refund no later than 30 days after the request is received.
Message template to request an airport tax refund
Subject: Request for an airport tax refund – unused ticket
Hello,
I would like to request a refund of the recoverable airport taxes and fees linked to a plane ticket that I did not use.
Passenger name:
Booking reference:
Ticket number:
Flight number:
Flight date:
Email address used for the booking:
I would like to clarify that I did not board this flight.
Best regards,
UFC-Que Choisir recommends submitting the request via the carrier's or agency's website and obtaining an acknowledgment of receipt.
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing a ticket refund with a tax refund
A non-refundable ticket may remain non-refundable for its fare portion, even if certain taxes are recoverable.
Assuming all taxes are refundable
Certain surcharges or carrier fees may remain non-refundable even when shown as taxes.
Contacting the wrong party
If the ticket was bought through an agency, the airline may redirect you to the agency.
Sending an incomplete request
A request without a reference, ticket number, flight date or passenger name may be difficult to process.
Guides available for your airline
Premium guide pricing
Premium guides give you a procedure tailored to each airline, with a message template and mistakes to avoid.
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Special case: ticket bought via an agency or OTA
Tickets bought through an online agency can be more complex. Some agencies may charge processing fees.
Understand the procedure with an agency or an OTA →Special case: flight cancelled or delayed by the airline
If the airline cancelled your flight, or if the flight was significantly delayed, you are not necessarily in the typical case of an airport tax refund. You may be entitled to a more favorable procedure: a ticket refund, rerouting, a voucher, or compensation depending on the situation.
What our guides do not guarantee
- –that the airline will accept your request
- –that all taxes shown will be refunded
- –a specific processing time
- –that no fees will apply if the request is not made online
The refund depends on the airline, the ticket, the country of departure, the taxes actually paid, the purchase channel and the applicable conditions.
Independent site, not affiliated with any airline
Flight Tax Refund is an independent site. The site is not affiliated with Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Air France, KLM or any other airline mentioned.
Our guides are practical informational resources. They do not constitute personalized legal advice and do not guarantee that you will obtain a refund.
In summary
- –Airport taxes can sometimes be refunded if you did not board.
- –The full ticket price is not automatically refundable.
- –In France, the relevant taxes and fees are regulated under article L224-66 of the Consumer Code.
- –The refund must be made no later than 30 days after the request is received.
- –The online request is free in France; offline fees are capped at 20% of the amount refunded.
- –The correct contact depends on the purchase channel: the airline or the agency.
- –No refund is guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions about the airport tax refund
Ready to prepare your request?
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Useful sources
- – Service-Public.fr: can you get a refund for your plane ticket if you miss or cancel your flight?
- – Service-Public.fr: template to claim a refund of the airport tax and passenger fee
- – Légifrance: French Consumer Code, article L224-66
- – INC Conso: recovering taxes and fees after a flight cancellation
- – UFC-Que Choisir: airport tax refund