Dutch flight tax axed
Easyjet and Ryanair have welcomed a decision by the Dutch government to axe its flights tax – a version of the UK’s Air Passenger Duty
Ryanair called on the Irish and UK Governments to follow the example and scrap the Irish tourist tax and Gordon Brown’s £10 airport tax.
It said European Governments cannot stimulate tourism by taxing visitors, but should welcome tourists by lowering Europe’s airport and ATC taxes
“Ryanair has campaigned against high airport tax and so called “ecoâ€tax which deter visitors and has cost the Dutch tourism industry millions in lost revenue,†said Ryanair’s Daniel de Carvalho.
“Tourists have voted with their feet and turn their back on the Netherlands as a tourist destination. Today’s decision to abolish this tax is a sensitive step to reverse the steep decline in traffic that the Netherlands has suffered.â€
Easyjet chief executive Andy Harrison said: “The Dutch Government has done the right thing to ensure that aviation has a future in The Netherlands
“But even after the tax is abolished, Schiphol will be Europe’s second most expensive airport – more expensive than Paris, Frankfurt or Zurich.â€
He added: “The Dutch government has put the ball on the penalty spot; Schiphol must now convert the penalty and bring its cost in line with other major airports in Europe.
“Only if both conditions are met will airlines start investing in The Netherlands again.â€
Phil Davies
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)