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| A plane landing at dusk. Photo: Depositphotos.com |
The introduction of a
flight tax of €7.50 per ticket will not have a negative effect on the Dutch
economy but will cut carbon dioxide emissions, according to a leaked report by
the European Commission.
The Dutch government plans to introduce a tax on
flying in 2021. The Netherlands is one of 20 EU countries which levies little
or no tax on airline tickets, apart from 21% value added tax on domestic
flights.
The report has been leaked by green campaign group Transport & Environment and shows that a tax on tickets similar to that which operates in
Germany would lead to a 4% increase in ticket prices and a 4% drop in passenger
numbers and flights.
But the impact of this on the aviation sector will be
‘compensated by an almost equal increase in jobs in other sectors of the
economy, so the net effect on employment is close to zero’, the report said.
In
addition, the introduction of a tax on
tickets would generate €324m for the treasury, cut CO2 emissions by 4% and the
number of people affected by noise by 3%.
The report, which has not been
published by the commission, also shows that taxing kerosene in Europe would
cut aviation emissions by 11% and have no net impact on jobs or the economy as
a whole.
‘Aviation’s decades-long kerosene tax holiday needs to end now,’ said
Bill Hemmings, aviation director of Transport & Environment. ‘This is
essential to fight climate change and will help the millions afflicted by
unbearable aircraft noise. Europe’s unique and deplorable status as a kerosene
tax haven is indefensible.’
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