Raad van Minister bekijkt voorstel voor EU-belasting op kerosine (en)

Germany is set to present a controversial plan to tax jet fuel on domestic EU flights at a meeting of EU finance ministers on Thursday (17 February).

The tax would be used to raise funds for aid to poorer countries, mainly from Africa.

The idea was already aired by German and French leaders at last month's World Economic Forum in Davos and later backed by the finance ministers of Germany, Britain, France and Italy at a G7 meeting in London.

According to Der Spiegel, a tax of 300 euro per tonne of fuel would add 5-10 euro to the price of a one-way ticket within the EU.

But first the principle of an EU-wide fuel tax would need to be agreed.

According to Der Spiegel, opposition to the proposal can be expected from Ireland.

Decisions on tax within the EU require unanimity according to the treaties.