Aviation sector condemns Dutch plan to hike air fare taxes

European aviation bodies have condemned Dutch government plans to further raise taxes on air fares.

European airline group Airlines for Europe (A4E) and airports trade organisation ACI Europe warned that the Dutch government’s decision to add to its already high air ticket tax will undermine connectivity, hurt passengers and weaken investment in aviation decarbonisation. 

The as yet unspecified heavier tax load is the second such rise on top of an existing fee levied on consumer air travel, the two organisations complained. 

They argue that aviation taxes in the Netherlands are already among the highest in Europe, further eroding its competitiveness as a hub for air travel and connectivity. 

Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport still lags its pre-pandemic levels of connectivity, according to an ACI Europe connectivity report.

Latest figures for the first half of 2025 show Schiphol handled 32.8 million passengers against 34.5 million in the first six months of 2019. The number of aircraft movements at 232,709 was 4% below the 242,107 seen in the equivalent pre-Covid period.

ACI Europe director general Olivier Jankovec said: “Raising aviation taxes is the textbook example of short‑term political thinking. 

“Ticket taxes harm the benefits that airports provide for citizens and national economies. 

“Crucially, taxing aviation diverts resources away from the massive investments required to achieve net‑zero. 

“What we need is government support to accelerate this transition, not policies that weaken the sector and penalise consumers.”

A4E managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou, echoing the sentiments, said: “Time and time again, these unjustified tax rises have been shown to serve neither the passenger nor the climate. 

“It simply makes the Netherlands less attractive as a place for business and tourism: passengers continue to travel, but to another destination.”

Meanwhile, KLM warned that flights may be impacted by a strike by ground staff today (Wednesday).

The airline said: “If your flight is cancelled or you miss a connecting flight due to this strike, we will automatically rebook you on the first available alternative flight. 

“As this action may affect quite some passengers, rebooking may take longer than usual.”