easyJet chief executive, Andy Harrison, said: ‘Even after the tax is abolished, Schiphol will be Europe’s second most expensive airport – more expensive than Paris, Frankfurt or Zurich.’
He called on Schiphol to reduce its charges to be on a par with other major European airports and make it more attractive for airlines.
Schiphol saw passenger numbers drop by 11.7% in February, following a 9% fall in January.
The tax, which did not apply to transit passengers, added €11.25 on a ticket to most European destinations and €45 for intercontinental flights.
Ryanair urged the Irish and UK governments to follow the Dutch example and scrap tourist and aviation taxes which it blames for a fall in traffic to Ireland and Britain.
The low-cost carrier also pledged to restart talks with several airports in the Netherlands about new routes and traffic growth, and launched a €10 seat sale for Dutch destinations.
A spokesman for the airline claimed the Dutch airport tax cost the country’s tourism millions in lost revenue as tourists went instead to cheaper airports.
See also:
Schiphol partners with Paris airports (21/10/2008)
Dutch passengers ‘ripped off’ by Schiphol (14/08/2008)
easyJet in tax awareness campaign (30/06/2008)
Dutch govt to net €350m pa from ‘green’ tax (01/10/2007)