LOW-COST FLIGHTS: TAXES TALK LOUDER THAN GLOBAL WARMING FEARS

Three out of ten people would be put off flying to and from France if a new 'green tax' on low-cost airlines was imposed, a survey by the online magazine website FrenchEntrée.com has found.

The poll also reveals when it comes to using low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet or Flybe, the impact on people’s pockets is a far bigger potential deterrent than concerns about the environment. Only 16% of those asked would be less likely to fly to France simply because of fears about the impact on global warming.

Moreover, the survey shows that most French home owners and visitors will stick with low-cost flights regardless – seventy-nine per cent (79%) said the possible environmental impact would not stop them using low-cost airlines; while sixty-one percent (61%) would not change their plans even if there was a green tax.

When asked how they would travel if they did not go by plane, 78% of the 1,069 who took part said they would use a car to go to and from France. Only 16% said they would take the more environmentally-friendly option of a train.

Today, there are more than 100 different flight routes to France from the UK – as FrenchEntreé.com's new interactive flight map – shows. This expansion has had a considerable influence on Britons buying a house in France. Of those surveyed by FrenchEntrée.com the majority - 69% - own a second home in France or live in the country permanently. And for 67% of them, a property's proximity to a regional airport was very important to them. Forty per cent (40%) bought their home because it was near a regional airport.

Thirteen per cent (13%) of those surveyed do not own a home in France but are likely to holiday there. Of these only 3% were less likely to holiday in France because of concerns over global warming. However, 18% would be less likely to if there was an added green tax.

''Given the constant publicity given to the impact of low-cost flights on the environment, it is interesting to see that it has so little effect on people's travel plans, and that it is the age-old issue of money that talks loudest,' says Michael Streeter, Property Editor of FrenchEntrée.com. 'But what comes out most strongly is that for the vast majority, the joys of la belle vie in France overcome any concerns about extra taxes or global warming.'

Note to editors: FrenchEntrée.com is the complete guide to French property, living in France and holidays in France. To view the new interactive flight map go to www.frenchentree.com/france-flight-map

For more information, contact Michael Streeter; telephone 00 33 (0) 5 45 89 28 29.

www.frenchentree.com

FrenchEntreé.com is part of Horizon New Media Ltd, 2 Queens Parade, BATH, BA1 2NJ, UK.