Airport of the month: Amsterdam Schiphol
July 6, 2009
We're voting Amsterdam Schiphol our airport of the month for the Dutch government's turnaround on airport departure taxes.
The Netherlands introduced the unpopular charge in July 2008 - €11.25 for short-haul European flights and €45 for long-haul flights - but dropped it when passenger numbers declined. The cash-conscious Dutch started flying from airports in Germany to escape the charge.
What has this got to do with UK travellers? Well, from November 1, British holidaymakers will have to stump up extra cash to cover increased rates of Air Passenger Duty (APD). Britons taking flights to Amsterdam, for example, will have to pay £11 per flight from November and £12 per flight in November 2010. It's currently £10 per flight.
However, Britons taking flights to Australia will pay an extra £15 from November, rising to an additional £45 in November 2010. APD on flights to Australia is currently £40. Passengers in Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class will pay even more.
British holidaymakers may get to know Schiphol better come November. Many savvy travellers already fly through Amsterdam Schiphol - Europe's fifth-largest airport - rather than via Heathrow Airport.
Schiphol provides direct connections to 262 European and intercontinental airports in 87 countries. Almost 50 million travellers used Schiphol last year.
In addition to great shopping, a casino and "snooze chairs" that are dotted around the airport, there's an annexe of the Rijksmuseum (open every day from 7am to 8pm, free admission) and a viewing area called the Panorama terrace.
Best of all, aviation buffs can can get married at Schiphol with a choice of four ceremonies - Ready for Take-Off, Fly Away to Yesterday, Say Yes and Go or Ticket to Paradise (www.schipholweddings.nl).
Related article: Dutch drop air passenger tax today
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