German tax a boon for Dutch traffic

ADV, Germany's airports association, stated German travellers are crossing into neighbouring countries to depart for holidays rather than fly from German ports in a bid to avoid the government's new tourist tax (Reuters, 20-Jul-2011). The tax has had the greatest impact on airports that have a high proportion of low-cost airlines and domestic services, the ADV says. Maastricht, a Dutch airport not far from the German border, increased passenger numbers 72% in 1HY2011 and Eindhoven increased passenger numbers 30%.