Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Air charter operators flying from Dutch airports are facing a new per-passenger tax under an amendment to the Air Travel Tax Differentiation Bill agreed by the country’s House of Representatives. The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the Dutch Business Aviation Association (DBAA) are jointly opposing the measure, which will now go for a vote in the Senate.
The higher rate of tax would apply to aircraft with 19 passenger seats or fewer, and is almost identical to a similar tax already imposed by the French government. Per-passenger rates will range from €420 ($488) for flights of up to 2,000 km (1,087 nm), rising to €2,100 for sectors over 5,500 km.
These levies would apply over and above the planned air travel tax that is due to take effect for airline flights from Jan. 1, 2027. If approved by the Senate, the private aviation-specific tax would apply from Jan. 1, 2030.
Joint EBAA/DBAA statements said that the additional tax will increase the pressure on the country’s business aviation sector, while raising—according to the Dutch government—€58 million per year. The industry groups criticized the justification for the levy on environmental grounds, arguing that the flights impacted represent less than 1% of all movements in the Netherlands.
<h2>Bad for Investment</h2>
“With this new tax on business jets, combined with the decision to no longer allow small business traffic at Eindhoven Airport, the Netherlands is pushing itself towards an increasingly difficult and less competitive investment climate,” commented Róman Kok, EBAA’s director of public affairs and communications. “The downward pressure is bad for jobs and innovation and shows that the economic value of business aviation in the Netherlands is heavily underestimated.”
The amendment was tabled in the House on November 19 and adopted within a week. According to EBAA and DBAA, there was limited public debate and no consultation with companies impacted by the tax. Dutch parliamentarians,&nbsp;the groups allege, misrepresented the size of the business aviation sector and the volume of carbon emissions its activity generates, while ignoring its contribution to connecting communities and supporting economic growth.
EBAA pointed to a research report it commissioned earlier this year from Oxford Economics. This concluded that business aviation supports around €100 billion in foreign direct investment across Europe, and many skilled jobs.
In 2023, the owners of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (EHAM) tried to <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-04-06/amsterdam-schiphol-airport-plans-ban-business-aircraft-2025">ban business aircraft</a>&nbsp;from the start of 2025, but the move was subsequently blocked as part of <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-07-16/court-blocks-movement-cuts-amsterdam-schiphol-airport">wider legal action</a> against restrictions on movements. The airport is one of several in Europe to have been <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-11-11/european-protestors-block-business-aviation-airports">repeatedly targeted</a> by environmental protests.

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