Netherlands: New Air Tax Threatens Competitiveness of Dutch Airports

Saturday 29 August 2026 - 15:27

Starting in January 2027, travelers departing from the Netherlands could face a significant increase in air taxation on longer flights. Presented by the government as both a fiscal and environmental tool, this reform has sparked backlash from airlines, which fear that more passengers will cross borders to fly from Germany or other neighboring countries.

Taxation that Increases with Distance

The Dutch air transport taxation system is set to evolve at the beginning of 2027. While the tax is currently set at 30.25 euros per passenger departing from an airport in the country, its amount will be adjusted based on the distance traveled.

After adjusting for inflation, the levy is expected to remain close to its current level for short-haul flights. However, it would rise to around 49 euros for medium-haul connections and nearly 73 euros for long-haul flights.

For Dutch authorities, this differentiation aims to meet climate objectives. Longer flights, being associated with higher carbon dioxide emissions, will bear a greater burden.

Furthermore, the reform is expected to generate around 257 million euros in additional tax revenue each year.

Airlines Fear a Boomerang Effect

However, the airline sector views this reform as a risk to the attractiveness of Dutch infrastructure. Carriers are concerned that an increase in levies will push passengers to change their departure airport rather than forgo travel.

Ryanair is among the most critical airlines. The low-cost carrier is calling for the tax to be abolished as part of the 2027 budget and claims that such a change would help support air connectivity, tourism, and jobs.

The airline also warns that it does not plan to increase its capacities in the Netherlands as long as the system remains in place. It estimates that Dutch airports are already losing some of their clientele to platforms located in neighboring countries, particularly Germany.

Germany Highlights the Contrast

The comparison with Germany fuels the sector's concerns. While the Netherlands is preparing to raise taxes on medium and long-haul flights, Berlin has decided to reduce the tax on plane tickets since July.

After this reduction, the German levy stands at around 13 euros for short-haul flights, 33 euros for medium-haul, and 59 euros for long-haul. The gap with the amounts proposed in the Netherlands becomes particularly visible on the longest international routes.

For airlines, this difference risks altering travelers' behaviors, especially in regions close to the German border.

Carriers Warn of Economic Consequences

Corendon shares these concerns. The airline believes that the Dutch tax level could become significantly higher than that observed in neighboring countries. It emphasizes that this additional burden could be particularly sensitive for households saving for months to finance their vacations.

The phenomenon of departures from foreign airports is already on the rise. Corendon specifically cites Germany as a favored destination for some Dutch travelers and plans to strengthen its operations from Düsseldorf, including a direct route to Curaçao starting in December.

Transavia also warns against a deterioration of the competitive position of airlines operating in the Netherlands. According to the airline, significant tax discrepancies between European countries could ultimately impact economic activity and employment.

A Debate Beyond Dutch Borders

The controversy highlights a broader difficulty faced by European governments: how to use taxation to reduce the environmental impact of air transport without undermining the competitiveness of national airlines and airports?

The issue is not solely about the price paid by the passenger. When tax levels differ significantly from one country to another, the risk is to shift some demand towards the least expensive platforms.

In the Netherlands, the government will therefore have to balance the goal of generating new revenue with that of maintaining competitive air connectivity. For airlines, the question now is whether the new taxation will truly reduce the footprint of air transport or simply contribute to shifting departures to airports in neighboring countries.