French pilots' union SNPL is calling for strike action on Thursday to protest against a government proposal to triple the levy on flight tickets as part of wider plans to plug a hole in France's state budget, a spokesperson said on Sunday. The strike notice, which concerns Air France as well as other carriers with pilots on French labour contracts, comes as the government rushes to push its draft budget for next year over the line, despite lacking a majority in parliament. "This additional tax will ultimately lead to tens of thousands of job losses in France," the union said in a statement, adding: "This social disaster will go hand in hand with the weakening of French operators or those operating regularly in France compared to their European and international competitors." The government's proposed increase in the aviation levy on flights to or from France combines an urgent need for more tax income with environmental aims but has sparked anger in the aviation sector. Raising the levy, particularly for long-haul flights, is supposed to generate additional revenue of E1b next year. The measure was included in the current version of the draft budget through an amendment. However, given that the bill is the subject of political haggling between a hung National Assembly, the conservative-controlled Senate and Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government, it is unclear if the levy will be part of the final budget text.<br/>
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Video has emerged of a passenger appearing to attempt to open the emergency exit door before being restrained by several crew members during a Korean Air flight. On Friday, Korean Air flight KE658 was travelling from Bangkok, Thailand to Seoul, South Korea when the incident occurred. Footage captured by Jackson Lee (@whojacksonlee), who initially shared it on TikTok, shows a male passenger repeatedly attempting to turn the emergency exit door handle, though it didn’t open. Almost instantly he was surrounded and restrained by the flight crew. According to an incident summary released by Korean Air and provided to the Herald, the passenger was “occupying a crew jumpseat in the emergency exit area during flight.” “Upon crew intervention requesting his return to the assigned seat, the passenger exhibited non-compliant behaviour, including verbal aggression and threatening movements toward crew members while attempting to access the emergency exit area. Following standard security protocols, the cabin crew issued multiple warnings. Under the captain’s authority, restraint measures were implemented, and the passenger was relocated to a secure area where the situation was successfully de-escalated,” the summary said.<br/>