LCCs welcome decision
Ryanair and easyJet have welcomed the Dutch government's decision to scrap its air passenger tax.
Europe's two largest low cost carriers both claimed the "unfair" tax had resulted in falling traffic through Amsterdam Schiphol, the Netherland's main airport.
"Ryanair has campaigned against high airport tax and so called "eco" tax which deter visitors and has cost the Dutch tourism industry millions in lost revenue," said Ryanair spokesman Daniel de Carvalho.
"Today's decision to abolish this tax is a sensitive step to reverse the steep decline in traffic that the Netherlands has suffered."
Ryanair called on the UK and Irish governments to follow suit or risk a further "collapse" in traveller numbers.
easyJet's chief executive Andy Harrison said the Dutch government had "done the right thing to ensure that aviation has a future in The Netherlands."
But Mr Harrison added that despite the move, Schiphol would still be Europe's second most expensive airport ahead of Paris, Frankfurt and Zurich.
"The Dutch Government has put the ball on the penalty spot; Schiphol must now convert the penalty and bring its cost in line with other major airports in Europe," he said.
"Only if both conditions are met will airlines start investing in The Netherlands again."
Schiphol's operator, hit by a "strong decline in traffic and increasing international competition", recently announced cuts in its work force of 10-25% by the end of next year.
Traffic figures for February showed a decline of 13.7%, or 430,000 fewer passengers compared to the same month in 2008.
www.schiphol.nl [1] www.easyjet.com [2] www.ryaniar.com [3]