Brussels, 16 September – European airlines (A4E) and airports (ACI EUROPE) warned that the Dutch government’s decision to further increase its already high air ticket tax will undermine connectivity, hurt passengers, and weaken investment in aviation decarbonisation. This heavier tax load is the second such rise on top of an existing fee levied on consumer air travel.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, A4E Managing Director: “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.”
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE: “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.”
Notes to editors:
The airline industry makes a substantial contribution to the Dutch economy, accounting for 3% of GDP and employing over 400,000 people (ACI EUROPE, 2024).
Aviation taxes in the Netherlands are already among the highest in Europe, further eroding its competitiveness as a hub for air travel and connectivity. According to the Airport Industry Connectivity Report, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol still lags its pre-pandemic levels of connectivity.
Media contacts:
Ben Kennard: Communications Director, A4E
Tel: +32 485 88 66 44
Email: ben.kennard@a4e.eu
Agata Lyznik: Director of Communications & Media, ACI EUROPE
Tel: +32 494 58 69 75
Email: agata.lyznik@aci-europe.org
About A4E
Airlines for Europe (A4E) is Europe’s largest airline association. Based in Brussels, A4E works with policymakers to ensure aviation policy continues to connect Europeans with the world in a safe, competitive and sustainable manner. With a modern fleet of over 3,700 aircraft, A4E airlines carried over 771 million passengers in 2024 and served nearly 2,800 destinations across Europe and the wider world. Each year, A4E members transport more than 4 million tonnes of vital goods and equipment either by freighters or passenger aircraft. Find out more at Flyingforourfuture.eu
About ACI EUROPE
ACI EUROPE is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 600 airports in 55 countries. Our members facilitate over 95% of commercial air traffic in Europe. Airports and air connectivity support 14 million jobs, generating €851 billion in European economic activity (5% of GDP). In response to the Climate Emergency, in June 2019 our members committed to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions for operations under their control by 2050, without offsetting. www.aci-europe.org