Dutch airports
More and more Dutch people are opting for foreign airports due to lower costs. Expensive parking fees, high flight tax, and steep increases in airport charges are making flying from Schiphol more expensive. The impact of the current aviation policy is becoming increasingly apparent.
In countries like Sweden, the flight tax is halved to emphasise the importance of mobility. In the Netherlands, the flight tax was introduced and increased several times with the ambition to reinvest in making the sector more sustainable. Unfortunately, nothing has come of this from the government and that is not a good thing.
We have regularly expressed our deep concerns about the government's plans and choices in the recent period, as well as the very high 41% cost increase in Schiphol’s fares.
In 2019, Schiphol ranked 10th within the European Union in terms of costs. However, Schiphol has now become the most expensive airport within the EU. This highlights that current aviation policy may soon prevent many Dutch people from enjoying a well-earned holiday in the sun or visit family abroad without financial stress.
We also already warned about what we are now seeing in practice, more Dutch people are flying from foreign airports because they want to continue travelling affordably. This development has negative consequences for the Dutch economy beyond just the aviation sector. It leads to unnecessary transport movements that negatively impact CO2 emissions and contribute to environmental concerns.
This further emphasises the importance of Transavia as a holiday airline. We offer our customers affordable flights, reliable service, and a wide network. We cater to holidays, SME, and family visits. Our expanding network includes new destinations such as Skopje in North Macedonia, Trieste in Italy, and Tirana in Albania.
And the advantages of flying from the Netherlands, whether from Schiphol, Rotterdam or Eindhoven, extends beyond convenience. Dutch airports are close by and are easily accessible by both public transport and car. They are renowned for their high standards of safety, comfort, and facilities.
To ensure the continued attractiveness of Dutch airports, adjustments are needed now. We need to consider a fair European flight tax and substantially lower airport charges. We take our responsibility seriously and are committed to reducing nuisance through fleet renewal.
Let us collaborate to keep flying accessible for everyone.