Ticket tax takes off.

Led by France, Britain, 13 countries have agreed to impose a solidarity tax on all international and domestic flights. The funds raised will be used in the global fight against AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The tax, ranging from 1 [euro] (about CAN$1.35) to 40 [euro], depending on the class of ticket and the destination, and will take effect in France on July 1.

The solidarity tax idea was promoted by French President Jacques Chirac. Brazil, Britain, Chile, Congo, Cyprus; France, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nicaragua, and Norway have agreed to raise or have started taxing airline tickets.

Twenty-five other countries, including Canada chose not to impose the tax but promised to contribute to a central fund that the core group of 13 will create.

Taxing airline passengers, President Chirac is a way to "mobilize some of the fruits of globalization" and a reliable source of funds for research, low-cost drugs and public-health programs in Africa.

The tourism industry are opposed to this travel tax, report taxes and security costs.