European Aviation Daily: Icarus – 19 May 2026

Research evidence excerpt

European Aviation Daily: Icarus – 19 May 2026

from more than 1,000 Dutch residents found two-thirds fear

flying from the Netherlands will become too expensive if taxes continue to rise, while 71%

believe flying should remain accessible for lower-income travellers. The industry warns that

long-haul flight taxes could rise from around €30 today to €72 per passenger by 2027, an

increase of roughly 140%.

The campaign argues climate measures should be coordinated at European level rather than

imposed unevenly by country. ANVR says a family of four flying from the Netherlands to Turkey

could pay more than €190 in aviation taxes from 2027, compared with around €40 for a similar

trip from Belgium, raising the risk that travellers use airports in Belgium or Germany instead.

Delta delays premium A321neo lie-flat rollout until at least 2028

Simple Flying (18 May) reports that Delta Air Lines’ premium Airbus A321neo fleet will remain

without lie-flat business-class seats until at least 2028, after certification delays pushed back

the launch of its planned premium narrowbody product. The aircraft were originally intended to

enter service with 16 Delta One lie-flat suites, 12 Premium Select recliners and an expanded

Comfort+ cabin. Delta will instead operate several of the aircraft in a temporary configuration

with 44 domestic first-class recliner seats and 120 main-cabin seats. The aircraft are expected to

operate from Atlanta to premium-heavy domestic markets including Los Angeles, San Diego,

Seattle and San Francisco during the summer season. The delay complicates Delta’s

transcontinental premium strategy, competing with products such as JetBlue Mint and United’s

future A321neo “Coastliner” configuration. The news shows how premium product certification