Aviation sector warns rising flight tax would drive passengers away from Dutch airports

The government should abandon the planned increase in the air passenger tax due to the war in Iran, the aviation sector states. Industry representatives report that a higher tax on flights is “unthinkable” given the current fuel crisis and would drive passengers from the Netherlands to foreign airports, causing financial losses for the Dutch aviation sector.

From next year, the Netherlands will introduce the highest air passenger tax in the European Union, as part of an agreement reached with the previous government. According to KLM, by 2027, Dutch travelers will pay, on average, over 40 euros in air passenger tax per airline ticket, compared with the European average of around 5 euros. Passengers currently pay 30.25 euros per ticket.

This would make the Dutch air passenger tax, on average, more than eight times higher than elsewhere in Europe, which contradicts the new government’s aim for a uniform European air passenger tax across all member states. The move is expected to generate 1.1 billion euros in annual revenue and would make the Netherlands the most expensive country for flying in the EU.

Due to the tax increase, passengers on medium-haul routes—such as Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco—will pay 48 euros in air passenger tax per person in 2027.

For long-haul destinations such as the United States, Suriname, or Asia, the air passenger tax will rise by as much as 140 percent, meaning a family will soon pay nearly 290 euros (about 72 euros per ticket) in tax alone. Industry groups call the increase unacceptable.

The Netherlands Institute for Transport Policy Analysis (KiM) says the tax would have a limited impact. The industry disputes this, saying travelers do respond to price increases.

Last year's research by consultancy Markeffect among Dutch residents shows that air travelers look for alternatives across the border. 74 percent of Dutch respondents said they would choose to fly more often via foreign airports if air taxes were increased.

"If travelers consistently shift to foreign airports, routes from Dutch airports will eventually disappear, with negative consequences for passengers, businesses, and the Dutch economy," KLM said in a statement last week. "Therefore, KLM argues the air passenger tax should be aligned with neighboring countries."