SCHIPHOL—The Dutch Association of Travel Agents says that scrapping the flight tax would generate 1.3 billion euros for the Dutch economy.

A recent investigation by the association revealed that since the introduction of the tax, in June 2008, almost one million passengers have travelled to airports in neighbouring countries to avoid paying it. In general, they go to Belgium or Germany, where no such tax is levied. The investigation also revealed that the tax's actual earnings have fallen far short of the expected 300 million euros.

The flight tax was intended to help reduce environmental pollution. Travellers departing from the Netherlands on flights within the European Union are now charged 11.25 euros for flights of less 2,500 kilometres and 45 euros for flights exceeding that distance.

Radio Netherlands/Expatica