Despite the recent introduction of a flight passenger tax in Denmark, travel activity at Copenhagen Airport (Københavns Lufthavn) soared during the Easter holidays. According to TV2, around one million passengers travelled through the airport during the holiday week—a 19.5% increase compared to the previous year. Of these, 35% were Danish travelers.
Danish climate ambitions clash with aviation enthusiasm
The new flight tax was introduced at the beginning of 2025 as part of a political agreement between the Government, SF, and Enhedslisten. The tax is being phased in gradually, rising to an average of 100 DKK (approx. 13.40 EUR) by 2030. Its intended purpose is not to reduce air travel but to help fund sustainable domestic air routes, part of Denmark’s broader climate transition goals.
However, experts and green organizations such as Concito, Denmark’s leading climate think tank, argue the tax is far too low to reflect the environmental cost of flying. “The fee is insufficient to address aviation’s climate impact,” says Søren Have, Program Manager at Concito. He supports a much higher tax rate of 1500 DKK per ton of CO2 (approx. 201 EUR) for long-distance flights, citing estimates from Denmark’s Klimarådet (Climate Council).
Political divide on raising the tax further
While Enhedslisten acknowledges it may be too early to judge the tax’s effectiveness, the party’s climate spokesperson Leila Stockmarr has called for a higher rate targeting frequent flyers. “If the trend continues, we need to return to the negotiating table,” she said.
On the other hand, Minister of Taxation Rasmus Stoklund (S) expressed satisfaction with the current tax structure, arguing that the transition to green aviation should rely on new fuels and technologies, not on pricing average citizens out of air travel.
“We shouldn’t turn flying into a luxury for the wealthy,” Stoklund told TV 2, urging green advocates to consider public support in shaping environmental policy.
Lack of progress on green aviation route
Originally, the tax revenue was meant to support a 100% green domestic air route starting in 2025. However, regulatory barriers have delayed this plan. In March, the government and its coalition partners revised their goals, now aiming to launch two flights operating on 50% sustainable aviation fuel instead.
Still, many environmentalists remain skeptical. “We need a credible plan for making international air travel climate-neutral,” Have said, questioning whether that path lies in technological innovation or stricter taxation.
As thousands of Danes passed through Copenhagen Airport this Easter, their enthusiasm for travel remained undimmed. But the debate over the true cost of flying – economically and environmentally – is far from over.
