The Netherlands introduces a tax on airline passengers

This tax, you might think, endangers the great aviation 'hub' that is Schipol, the Amsterdam airport. It must be remembered that for decades now, the Netherlands has been creating a network of short-haul flights from dozens of European airports to Schipol to link them there with KLM's long-haul flights to the rest of the world.

Well no. Travelers who depart from one airport, land at Schipol and from there fly back to another airport to complete their trip are not affected by this tax. You have to be an environmentalist, but without going overboard, don't lose Schipol's key role in the world.

Ryanair has been very critical of this tax because it is only levied on travelers coming and going from the Netherlands to the rest of the world. Ryanair has a base in Eindhoven, which operates point-to-point flights, all of which are affected by this tax.

At the same time, a second rate is introduced on carbon dioxide emissions, which complements – actually extends – the tax on the same concept applied by the European Union. This second tax, which does not affect airlines but industrial pollution, will gradually increase until 2030.