WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch government’s planned increase in aviation taxes from January 2027 poses a serious threat to Curaçao’s tourism sector. With a significant portion of visitors arriving from the Netherlands, the island fears that the higher cost of airfares will lead to a sharp decline in tourist arrivals.
Drastic Ticket Price Increase
Currently, Dutch travelers pay a €29.40 air tax per ticket, regardless of their destination. However, the Netherlands intends to substantially raise this fee, aiming to generate an additional €248 million per year from long-haul flights. For Curaçao, this could mean an increase of nearly €200 per passenger, making flights significantly more expensive and potentially reducing Dutch tourist arrivals.
Curaçao Demands an Exemption
Other European countries, such as France, have implemented higher aviation taxes but made exceptions for their overseas territories. Curaçao is advocating for a similar exemption and has been actively lobbying the Dutch government since November 2024.
Curaçao’s Minister Plenipotentiary, Carlson Manuel, has been leading efforts in the Netherlands to prevent the tax hike from applying to the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. In November 2024, he sent a letter to Dutch State Secretary of Finance, Eelco Heinen, highlighting the economic risks for Curaçao. He also engaged in discussions with key stakeholders, including the Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports (DCCA) chairman and the Curaçao Hospitality & Tourism Association (CHATA) director.
In February 2025, Manuel met again with Dutch State Secretary Tjebbe van Oostenbruggen, responsible for taxation and fiscal policies, warning that the tax increase could undermine Curaçao’s economic sustainability efforts.
Proposed Solution: Domestic Flight Classification
As a solution, Curaçao is proposing that flights between the Netherlands and Curaçao be classified as domestic flights—known as cabotage flights—which would exempt them from the additional tax. Manuel argues that since Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it should not be treated as an international destination for tax purposes.
The Curaçaoan government remains committed to negotiations, emphasizing that maintaining affordable travel between the Netherlands and Curaçao is vital for the island’s economy and the continued growth of its tourism sector.