Amsterdam Schiphol May Freeze 2026 Airline Tax Increase After Industry Criticism
Airlines Challenge Schiphol’s Pricing Strategy
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport introduced a 41 percent increase this year, with an additional five percent originally planned for 2026. KLM, Airlines for Europe, and ACI Europe strongly opposed further increases, warning higher charges undermine connectivity, hurt passengers, and weaken sustainability investments.
KLM’s CEO argued higher taxes make the Netherlands the most expensive EU market for air travel, damaging competitiveness and global connectivity. A4E added tax hikes fail to benefit climate or passengers, instead pushing travellers and businesses toward alternative European destinations instead.
KLM also highlighted revenues return to the national treasury, not into sustainability projects, undermining aviation decarbonisation progress across the Dutch network.
Schiphol Considers Freezing Planned 2026 Increase
Schiphol confirmed it now intends not to implement the 2026 increase, beginning formal consultations with airlines to freeze rates.
CFO Robert Carsouw admitted “The 2025 rise significantly impacts airlines, but insisted the money is necessary to support quality infrastructure investments.”
However, Schiphol acknowledged many airlines already consider operations too costly, and agreed maintaining affordability requires balancing revenue with competitive market conditions. The airport credited efficiency and strict cost control in operations for allowing discussions on freezing charges without reducing service quality.
A final decision on 2026 airline charges will follow consultations with carriers, with results expected by the end of October.
Dutch Aviation Faces Additional Policy Changes
The Dutch government announced flight caps reducing Schiphol’s annual limit from 500,000 to 478,000 flights starting winter season 2025-26. European aviation groups recently criticised Dutch government plans to increase air passenger taxes, raising some long-haul tickets by seventy euros each.
Industry leaders warned combined higher airport charges and government taxes risk discouraging airlines from expanding operations and reducing passenger choice within Europe. Schiphol maintains investments are essential for future capacity and sustainability, but acknowledges affordability concerns could impact its long-term role as Europe’s hub.
The ongoing consultations will determine whether Schiphol prioritises financial growth or balances sustainable investment with competitive pricing for airlines and passengers.