Aviation tax increase in the Netherlands/ Companies call on the government, ordinary families may be left without vacations

2026-05-20 15:40:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Aviation tax increase in the Netherlands/ Companies call on the government,

Airlines based in the Netherlands are asking the Dutch government to reconsider increasing aviation taxes, which they say could push people to airports across the border.

Dutch airlines and travel companies are fighting against plans to introduce higher flight taxes in the EU, warning that the steep increases could make holidays unaffordable for ordinary families.

The campaign comes after it was revealed that two-thirds of Dutch travelers are worried that air travel from the Netherlands will become too expensive if planned tax increases go ahead.

According to new data, drawn from a survey of 1,000 people by Markteffect, 71% of Dutch citizens believe that air travel should remain accessible to people with lower incomes.

As a result, ANVR, the Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators, has launched a new campaign, "Gelijke Vliegtaks," which translates to equal tax on air travel.

Alongside TUI, Corendon, Transavia and KLM, the companies are calling on The Hague to reconsider Dutch air travel taxes, which could become the highest in the entire EU from next year.

Higher aviation taxes could change the face of travel in the Netherlands.

"For many people, the annual vacation is an important time to relax and spend time together," said ANVR Director Frank Radstake.

“By 2027, the Dutch air travel tax for long-haul flights will increase from around 30 euros to 72 euros per ticket, an increase of 140%. This places a considerable financial burden on travelers, especially compared to neighboring countries.”

The body says aviation should be addressed at the European level, without any individual country having to bear the burden of higher taxes.

According to ANVR, by 2027, a family of four traveling to Turkey from the Netherlands can expect to pay more than 190 euros in airfare alone. Across the border in Belgium, a family with the same number of members will only have to pay around 40 euros for a comparable trip.

If the tax increase continues, Radstake explained that Dutch travelers will pay significantly more for flights than travelers departing from airports across the border.

Marjan Rintel, President and CEO of KLM, agrees with the calls, saying that Dutch travelers may abandon Netherlands-based airports in order to fly more cheaply from neighboring countries.

"Dutch travelers will either be hit hard financially or choose to depart from airports across the border," he said.

“This does not benefit the climate and, if travelers and businesses leave, destinations will disappear. These plans should be reconsidered and Dutch air travel taxes should be brought back in line with neighboring countries.”/ CNA