Record parking fees, increasing flight tax making Dutch airports unaffordable for many

Air travel to and from the Netherlands is becoming increasingly unaffordable to the average traveller. Not only are ticket prices rising because of the war in the Middle East, but airport parking rates are at their highest yet, and another flight tax increase is looming that would make the Dutch tax eight times higher than the European Union average.

Due to the Iran war, kerosene prices have climbed by over 70 percent, and airlines are passing these costs on to travelers. Dutch airline KLM increased ticket prices for long-haul flights by €50 at the beginning of April and announced on Thursday that it was canceling 160 flights starting at the end of the month.

On top of that, the Netherlands is also set to increase its flight tax again next year. According to KLM, from 2027, the average tax paid by air passengers departing from Dutch airports will be over €40, compared with an EU average of around €5. “This places the Dutch levy at more than eight times the European benchmark,” the airline said on Thursday.

Travelers on medium-haulr quotes like Turkey, Egypt, and Morocco, will pay a flight tax of €48 next year, 60 percent more than the current tax. For long-haul flights to the United States and Asian destinations, for example, the tax will rise by as much as 140 percent. “For a family, this could amount to nearly €290 (€72 per ticket) in air passenger taxes alone,” KLM said.

And then you still have to park your car. According to the annual Parking at the Airport report by Vliegveldinfo.nl, a week of parking at Schiphol now costs an average of €138.50, €10 more than last year. “An official parking space at the airport has never been so expensive,” site director Guus Wantia told AD.

Parking fares are even higher for short trips. For weekend parking, or three days, Schiphol charges an average of €105. That’s €35 per day. “During peak periods such as holidays and public holidays, prices skyrocket even further,” Wantia said. “The earlier you book, the better, but even that is no longer a guarantee of a low price.”

Smaller airports tend to be a bit cheaper. Parking for a week at Groningen Airport Eelde costs €55 on average. But that, too, is no guarantee. Maastricht Aachen Airport charges €130 per week. “There, travelers have to make do with only one parking option,” Wantia said. “When there’s little choice, you see that prices usually end up higher.”

According to Wantia, everything is becoming more expensive for travelers. “Not only the flying itself, but also everything around it - such as parking - is becoming more pricey. A holiday thus starts with a substantial extra expense.”

The high costs in the Netherlands are driving Dutch travelers to fly from airports across the border, KLM said. “Over time, this trend may result in a reduction in demand for Dutch airports and a corresponding decline in available destinations, with broader implications for travelers, businesses, and the Dutch economy.”