UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -- More than 66 countries support France's campaign for a new tax on airline tickets to raise money to fight global poverty, Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has said.

France is organizing a conference at the ministerial level in February to ensure the initiative is rapidly put in place, Douste-Blazy told the U.N. General Assembly.

Britain and France have been pressing other rich nations to put a new tax on air tickets to finance a big increase in development aid after French President Jacques Chirac proposed the idea earlier this year.

But the plan has run into opposition in the United States and has failed to win widespread backing in Europe.

The idea is also unpopular with airline companies already struggling to pay for soaring fuel costs, who fear that higher-priced tickets could drive away customers.

But France has said that some countries joining the scheme might simply ask passengers to donate money for development rather than levy a compulsory tax.

France says it plans to impose a new tax as early as 2006 while Britain intends to redirect some of the money it raises from existing taxes on air travel.

"More than 66 countries have given their support to a pilot project of contributing via airline tickets, and we are delighted by that," Douste-Blazy said.

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