The number of passengers flying with budget airlines in the Netherlands has tripled over the past two decades, reaching 27.8 million in 2024, according to new figures from national statistics agency CBS.

Budget carriers now account for an ever-larger share of air travellers. In 2004, just one in five passengers flew with a low-cost airline but by 2024 this had risen to two in five. Over the same period, the number of passengers on traditional airlines rose from 35.2 million to 48.4 million.

Spain, Britain and Italy are the most popular destinations for passengers flying with budget airlines.

Smaller Dutch airports have grown rapidly due to the rise of budget airlines. Between 2004 and 2024, passenger numbers at regional airports — Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Maastricht and Groningen — quadrupled. Of all travellers flying via these smaller airports in 2024, 98% flew with a budget carrier.

Despite this regional growth, Schiphol airport remains by far the largest hub for cheaper services. In 2024, 18.6 million budget airline passengers travelled via Schiphol, compared with 9.2 million using the four regional airports.