Holland Confirms Abolition of Flight Tax
Phil Davies, Travel Mole, 4/29/2009 (excerpted)
The Dutch government has confirmed the scrapping of the country's flight tax after just a year.
The tax, which was introduced on July 1, 2008 for all passengers who left Holland from a domestic airport, is to be abolished from July 1.
The flight tax for short-haul flights was €11.25, while long-haul passengers were charged €45.
The abolition of the flight tax is one of the measures by the Dutch government to stimulate the country's economy in these difficult times, a statement said.
A recent survey by SEO Economic Research concluded that the flight tax would account for a 2% year on year decline in visitor numbers.
The survey also found that the Dutch economy would be €1.3 billion worse off because of the flight tax.
The Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) said scrapping the tax will strengthen Holland's international competitive position.
”Accessibility and affordability of Holland as a destination is essential,” a spokesman said.
Canada, EU Sign Deal To Open Aviation Markets
Airwise.com, 5/6/2009
Canada and the European Union signed an "open skies" agreement on Wednesday under which Canadian and EU airlines will be able to fly freely between any airport in the 27-country EU and any Canadian airport, officials said.
The deal will replace an existing patchwork of bilateral agreements between Canada and European states, which include restrictions on routes, prices and the number of weekly flights.
The agreement will also ease restrictions on control and ownership of airlines.
(Reuters)