Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is planning to raise its airport charges by 14.8 per cent next year, a higher increase than the previously anticipated 12 per cent.
In a statement released recently, Schiphol said that such an increase is considered necessary to compensate for revenue losses experienced in 2022, a year marked by reduced air traffic.
At the start of 2022, there were still some travel restrictions in place because of COVID-19, and airlines operated fewer flights than planned. Security staff shortages also led to reduced flights, but Schiphol has not included the estimated share of that in the calculation. – Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
According to Schiphol’s CFO, Robert Carsouw, the increase is essential for maintaining the quality of services at Schiphol and its financial stability. He also claims that this approach is in line with the regulatory framework.
Staff shortages at the security companies operating at Schiphol played a significant role in the reduced number of flights in 2022. In response to these shortages, Schiphol had to implement restrictions on the number of departing passengers at certain times throughout the year.
In June 2022, Schiphol Airport implemented a daily passenger limit in response to the persistent issues of long queues and missed flights, to which the substantial surge in summer travellers had contributed widely.
At the same time, the airport’s authorities have emphasised the tight labour market, highlighting the scarcity of security personnel available to manage the high volume of passengers expected to travel through the airport this year.
The determination of airport charges at Schiphol is subject to strict legislative regulations. In simple terms, Schiphol is prohibited from making a profit from these charges.
According to the airport, if the revenue generated from airport charges surpasses the expenses associated with serving the airlines, the surplus is returned to the airlines. As a result, the airport charges for the subsequent year are reduced. This occurred relatively recently, specifically between 2016 and 2019.
The airport charges paid by airlines to Schiphol are allocated to facilities and services that benefit the airlines themselves. This encompasses essential areas such as runway maintenance, security measures, terminal upkeep, and cleaning services.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has planned to invest more than €3 billion between 2024 and 2027, focusing on critical maintenance and upgrades. These plans encompass extensive projects aimed at revitalising different areas of the airport, including Pier C, the baggage cellar, climate control systems, walkways, aircraft stands, and taxiways.
