Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 airline, today (Monday, 2 Mar) congratulates Rob Jetten on his appointment as Prime Minister and calls on the incoming Govt to immediately scrap the Netherlands’ fake “eco” aviation tax, which has devastated Dutch connectivity by imposing uncompetitive costs simply to protect the interests of legacy carrier KLM – all at the expense of Dutch citizens, tourists and regional airports. The formation of this new Govt presents a unique opportunity to reverse years of anti‑aviation policy failures and restore the Netherlands as a competitive European travel market.

Since its introduction in 2021, the Dutch Aviation Tax has skyrocketed to €30 per passenger in 2026, a staggering +288% increase in just five years. This fake “eco” tax, which inexplicably exempts KLM’s most polluting connecting passengers, has made the Netherlands one of the least competitive aviation markets in Europe.

Dutch Regional airports are paying the highest price, with Maastricht and Groningen operating at just 30% and 26% of their pre-Covid traffic levels respectively. In 2025, Ryanair had no choice but to exit Maastricht Aachen Airport as a direct result of the excessive €30 Dutch tax, combined with the airport’s own cost increases. Meanwhile, countries such as Albania, Poland and neighbouring Sweden have all surpassed pre-Covid levels thanks to pro-growth aviation policies that support connectivity rather than destroy it. The Netherlands is now losing passengers, routes and tourism to markets that actually want them.

Ryanair now calls on Prime Minister Rob Jetten and the newly appointed coalition Govt to act quickly and scrap this fake “eco” tax, which continues to stifle traffic and harm Dutch passengers, inbound tourism, and regional airports.

Ryanair’s CMO, Dara Brady, said:

“Ryanair congratulates the new Prime Minister, Rob Jetten, on his appointment and urges his Govt to act fast to scrap the Dutch fake “eco” tax, which has exploded to over €30 in 2026. This punitive tax has driven up fares, severely harmed regional airports, and forced Dutch passengers across the border in search of affordable flights, all while protecting KLM’s most polluting connecting passengers, who remain exempt from the tax despite producing more than double the emissions of Ryanair’s cleaner, greener, point‑to‑point flights.

Scrapping this fake “eco” tax would immediately restore Dutch competitiveness, deliver lower fares for consumers, and finally rebuild the connectivity the Netherlands has lost in recent years, particularly in regional airports. With aviation taxes being abolished across several European markets – such as Sweden, Hungary, Albania and the Italian regions – now is the perfect moment for the new Govt to reverse these damaging policies and deliver a pro‑growth, pro‑tourism aviation strategy that supports regional airports, passengers, and the Dutch economy.”