Dutch Air Passenger Tax set to far exceed EU average by 2027

The Netherlands is on course to introduce the highest air passenger tax in the European Union, with levies expected to exceed €40 per ticket by 2027—more than eight times the EU average of around €5.

The increase, stemming from earlier government policy decisions, stands in contrast to the current coalition’s stated ambition to pursue a coordinated European approach to aviation taxation.

Sharp increases across all routes

Passengers departing from Dutch airports will face significantly higher charges depending on distance:

• Medium-haul routes (e.g. Turkey, Morocco, Egypt): around €48 per ticket (+60%)
• Long-haul routes (e.g. U.S., Asia): increases of up to 140%
• Families could pay nearly €290 in total taxes for long-haul travel

The measure is expected to generate an additional €300 million in 2027, bringing total annual revenues from the tax to approximately €1.1 billion. Notably, none of these funds are currently earmarked for sustainability or aviation decarbonisation efforts.

Risk of passenger leakage

The policy raises concerns about competitive distortion within the EU aviation market. According to research by Markeffect, 74% of Dutch travellers would consider flying from foreign airports if taxes rise further.

KLM has warned that the widening tax gap with neighbouring countries could drive passengers to alternative hubs in Belgium or Germany, potentially reducing demand at Dutch airports and weakening route networks over time.

Strategic implications

The planned tax hike introduces a structural risk of “passenger leakage”—a well-documented phenomenon in aviation economics—where demand shifts to lower-cost jurisdictions. If sustained, this could impact connectivity, airline profitability, and broader economic activity linked to aviation in the Netherlands.

KLM continues to advocate for closer alignment of aviation taxes across neighbouring countries to avoid market distortions and preserve the competitiveness of Dutch aviation.