When I purchase flight tickets I like to review the breakdown of associated fees and taxes - usually plenty of entities taking their pound of flesh. So I was pretty surprised to learn that airlines have enjoyed tax exemption for jet fuel for international flights, on a worldwide basis apparently since the 1940s. IATAs position is unsurprising [0]. I find it curious that the airline industry has enjoyed such generous tax treatment for so long [1].

Granted, unlike today, in the 40s when this tax treatment was being established I doubt any government was considering taxes as a way to tackle climate change.

[0] https://www.iata.org/contentassets/ebdba50e57194019930d72722...

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerosene_tax#Criticism_of_kero...