Netherlands to raise air passenger tax from Jan. 1, 2026; airlines and airports warn of traffic loss and higher fares

The Dutch government will increase its air passenger tax effective Jan. 1, 2026, prompting KLM and airport operators to warn the levy—projected to generate about €1.1 billion annually from 2027—will push travellers to Belgian and German airports and raise fares for Dutch passengers.

Discovered 2025-09-17T03:00:58.365276-07:00 | 2025-09-17T03:00:58.365276-07:00

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The levy is expected to generate roughly €1.1 billion per year from 2027 and could shift passenger flows abroad, risking traffic and revenue losses for Dutch carriers and hub airports; this compounds existing concerns about capacity constraints at Schiphol.
The tax increase adds to a growing pattern of national levies that airlines say are making fares unaffordable and eroding competitiveness—echoing recent industry warnings such as Lufthansa's alarm over German tax hikes and broader carrier appeals for relief.
This move arrives amid wider EU-level debates on aviation taxation and fuel policy, including proposals to delay implementation of aviation fuel levies, which will shape how member states balance revenue, climate goals and industry competitiveness (EU considers 10-year delay to aviation and shipping fuel taxes).

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