Transfer passengers are currently exempt from the flight tax of 26 euros, because they can easily travel to foreign airports. Abolishing the exception would hit KLM particularly hard. The company’s business model largely consists of transfers who transfer at Schiphol from a European to an intercontinental flight.
All other European countries with a flight tax also make an exception for transfer passengers, but the CDA believes it is unfair to exclude them. The party also wants more taxes on private jets. “With the proceeds from the air travel tax for private jets and transfers, households receive an extra buffer on their energy bill,” Bontenbal said in an explanation to the AD.
Under the new party leader, the CDA has taken a greener course. Bontenbal has deliberately not flown privately since 2006 for climate and environmental reasons. In the new election manifesto, the party also calls for a shrinkage of Schiphol and a night closure.
The General Considerations after Budget Day are the last opportunity to adjust the budget for next year. It is not impossible that the CDA plan for a transfer tax will receive a majority, because the CDA, together with the left-wing parties, has a majority in the House of Representatives. The decisive factor will be whether D66 supports the plan or not.
Henri Bontenbal. Photo: CDA