Summary
- The CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines expressed disappointment over proposed taxes on passengers transferring at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
- The taxes could potentially reduce passengers on the airport.
- Along with the tax proposal, the Dutch government is aiming to chop flights at Schiphol to cut back noise pollution.
The CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is expressing disappointment regarding newly proposed legislature that might impose taxes on passengers transferring at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). The move comes after the federal government within the Netherlands reportedly ruled that taxing passengers traveling through the airline’s hub was inadequate for the country’s economy and accessibility.
The proposal is reportedly the newest hurdle for the carrier. Earlier this month, the federal government announced plans to cut back flights at Schiphol.
“Incomprehensible and really worrying”
Based on Airline Weekly, the proposed legislature was introduced on Thursday as a part of the Dutch House of Representatives’ climate policy within the Netherlands. If it becomes law, passengers traveling via AMS, including those traveling on private jets, could be taxed. The funds would reportedly promote lower energy costs for Dutch residents.
Photo: Arnoud Raeven
KLM’s President and CEO Marjan Rintel on Friday slammed the Dutch parliament in a lengthy post on LinkedIn.
“Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a motion (proposal) to introduce a tax for transfer passengers. The imposition of such a tax is meaningless and really worrying.”
Rintel explained that the federal government previously ruled against taxing connecting passengers on July seventh. If the country moves forward with the proposal, the Netherlands could be the primary to impose such taxes.
“It’s on the expense of the connections of the Netherlands with the remainder of the world. We’re the primary and only country on this planet where this tax is on the table. It could mean that only passengers travelling via Schiphol would pay more money on their flight ticket, while this might not apply to other European airports.”
Pushing passengers away from Schiphol?
Independent research and consultancy CE Delft reportedly estimated that the taxing would cut back greater than 30% of connecting passengers at AMS. Rintel claimed that six out of 10 of KLM’s passengers go through the airport to connect with other destinations. Based on Airline Weekly, around 36% of the 40.7 million travelers at AMS from January through August this yr were transiting to a different flight.
Rintel said.
Cutting back flights
The motion comes on top of one other challenge KLM is encountering. Firstly of this month, the Dutch government said it will give attention to cutting the variety of flights at AMS to assist with the airport’s noise pollution levels, in accordance with Airline Weekly. The plan goals to cut back takeoffs and landings, which count as one aircraft movement, to 452,500 annual aircraft movements next summer. 500,000 are reportedly allowed today, meaning the reduction would end in 9.5% of flights being cut.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy Flying
Rintel accused the House of being unjust, saying the proposal wouldn’t profit anyone. Within the meantime, the CEO explained that KLM will proceed to bring up the disadvantages that the taxes would bring if signed into law.
“In fact, we don’t accept a proposal that has such major consequences for our company and the Netherlands. We are going to proceed to indicate to parties the possible consequences of this tax measure within the run-up to the elections after which to the Senate.”