In October last year, Schiphol Airport announced that airport fees would increase by 37% over the next three years. The Dutch government plans to raise travel taxes by 248 million euros by 2027, which will result in higher ticket prices. The Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports (DCCA) is strongly opposed to this increase, which could make tickets up to 100 euros more expensive.
Schiphol’s financial director, Robert Carsouw, explained last year that the fee increase is necessary to fund investments in the airport’s quality and sustainability. This means airlines will need to pay an additional 15 euros per passenger for flights in 2027. The increase is primarily driven by high inflation. While Schiphol raises its airport fees, it is also encouraging airlines to use quieter planes, which would lower the fees. However, if airlines continue to use noisier planes, the fees will go up. Even nighttime flights will carry an additional surcharge.
Differentiation of flight taxes
The Dutch government aims to raise 248 million euros from aviation taxes by 2027. The plan focuses on increasing taxes for long-haul flights due to the overall rise in emissions.
Aviation is crucial to connecting the Netherlands with the rest of the world. It supports business, tourism, and visits to friends and family around the globe. It also facilitates the quick transport of goods over long distances. Aviation plays a key role in making the Netherlands an international hub for people, commerce, investment, and knowledge.
Negative effects of aviation
However, aviation also comes with its drawbacks. Residents living near airports suffer from sleep disturbances caused by plane noise, and some even experience disruptions during the day. There are also concerns about health due to the effects of fine particulate matter. In addition, CO2 emissions and other pollutants contribute negatively to the climate.
The airline tax is intended to address these negative impacts. Since 2021, the Netherlands has imposed an aviation passenger tax of 29.40 euros (in 2025) per traveler. As part of their strategy, the government seeks to raise a total of 248 million euros from aviation taxes by 2027, with a particular focus on taxing long-haul flights.
Airlines express disappointment over the increase
As soon as the news was released, airlines in the Netherlands expressed their disappointment. With this increase, Schiphol will become one of the most expensive airports in Europe. While they agree that Schiphol should invest in quality, they believe the fee hike is excessive. KLM CEO, Marjan Rintel, stated that Schiphol’s position as an international hub could be weakened, which would jeopardize the Netherlands’ connectivity and economic stability.
Petition against the tax increase
DCCA is firmly against the new aviation tax and is calling for an exemption. Jonny Anderson, CEO of Curaçao Airport Partners, emphasized that while they support sustainability, the approach needs to be fair and consider the relationship between the Netherlands and its six Caribbean islands.
This increase isn’t just another “fee.” It represents a barrier for families, students, and businesses that depend on air travel. For the Dutch Caribbean, air travel is not a luxury but a necessity, as it is the only way to reach other regions. Therefore, the tax is unfair as it isolates the islands, highlights the significant disparities within the Kingdom, and negatively impacts the islands’ economies. In response, DCCA has sent a letter to the Minister of Finance, addressing five key questions.
About DCCA
The Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports (DCCA) brings together the six airports within the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. Its mission is to improve the quality of each airport through mutual assistance, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, achieving economies of scale. DCCA is committed to promoting connections between the islands and offering innovative air transport solutions for the Dutch Caribbean.
