The flag carrier of the Netherlands, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, has expressed its concerns regarding the proposal of the Dutch Parliament to introduce a tax on transfer passengers at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
According to KLM, the approval of the proposal could negatively affect transfer passengers departing from Schiphol Airport, and for this reason, KLM has called on the authorities to consider all factors before moving forward.
The funds from the tax would reportedly be used to promote lower energy costs for residents of the Netherlands.
However, following the proposal by the Dutch Parliament, KLM President and CEO Marjan Rintel said that the implementation of such a tax is incomprehensible and very worrying.
Moreover, Rintel stressed that the Netherlands is the only country in the world considering such a tax.
We are the first and only country in the world where this tax is on the table. It would mean that only passengers travelling via Schiphol would pay extra money for their flight ticket, while this would not apply to other European airports.
Research has shown that if the tax gets introduced for passengers transferring at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, there will be around 30 per cent less connecting passengers.
As Aviation24 explains, Schiphol Airport has an important role in connecting travellers from all over the world, and the introduction of the tax could push passengers to choose other airports in Europe, leading to large revenue losses for the airline.
Moreover, the same noted that the reliance of KLM on passengers transferring from flights within Europe to the ones at Schiphol is very evident. As data show, six out of every ten passengers choose this route when having a transfer.
However, it has been argued that if the tax on transfer passengers starts applying, the number of those choosing this route would further decrease, on top of the increase in ticket prices and climate measures set to become effective in January.
Schiphol Airport also shared the concerns of KLM. As Aviation24 notes, Schiphol Airport recognises the contribution of KLM to the economy of the Netherlands.
Furthermore, by imposing a tax on transfer passengers, the competitive position of the Netherlands on the global stage could be compromised, and for this reason, the two bodies are calling for the reconsideration of this measure.
In addition to the above-mentioned, the Dutch government has said that it also wants to cut the number of flights at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in an attempt to help with the noise pollution levels of the airport.
