“For us, the Falcon is a taxi like any other”: we know the astronomical cost of François Bayrou's trip to Pau by jet

At the beginning of the week, the new Prime Minister François Bayrou went to Pau to the city council of the Pyrenean city. But his trip has attracted much criticism.

Recently appointed by Emmanuel Macron, Matignon tenant François Bayrou is still exploring certain avenues to form a government. The new Prime Minister has also had to deal with an unprecedented crisis in Mayotte since taking office. However, this Monday, he went to Pau to attend the municipal council of Pau, a city where he has been mayor for over 10 years. But this Pyrenean escapade has earned him a lot of criticism for many reasons.

“The Falcon is for us a taxi like any other”

What is causing controversy is the cost of this plane trip. In total, seven planes, Dassault Falcon 7X, are at the disposal of the Head of State and the Prime Minister. It was with this aircraft that François Bayrou left the capital to go to Pau, separated by 800 kilometers.

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Beyond the financial cost, the environmental impact is not insignificant. The journey lasted 52 minutes, the plane consumed 800 kg of fuel and cost nearly 18,000 euros, indicates France Info, according to ministerial sources.

“When you are Prime Minister, you are there 24 hours a day”, justified a parliamentarian. For a former Matignon, the use of planes is essential. “It may seem crazy, but for us the Falcon is a taxi like any other.”

François Bayrou reacted to this controversy. “I chaired the municipal council of my city from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. I consider that, in doing so, I was also in my place as a citizen and I intend to defend this idea that citizenship is not divided between being in Paris and fulfilling one's responsibilities as a citizen on the ground”, he justified himself.

“Pau is in France”

“Faced with such a disaster, it is important to be at the side of the populations” and “in these types of circumstances, one must be 100% mobilized on the management of crisis“, said the President of the National Assembly Yaël Braun-Pivet, adding that she would have “preferred that the Prime Minister take the plane to Mayotte”.

If some pointed the finger at his presence in the room, telling him that he should rather be in Mayotte, there again, the Prime Minister has an answer. “Pau is in France”, he defended himself Tuesday before the deputies at the National Assembly.