Spinning it as a move that will fund “better quality and less noise,” Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) has announced a sharp increase in airport fees that will gradually enter into force over the next three years. The total increase will amount to 37%, with 2025 being the toughest year for airlines.
The airport blames “exceptionally high inflation and sharply increased interest rates over the past three years” for the increase. Airlines, including primary operators Transavia and KLM, have both expressed their disappointment with the move, arguing that it further weakens competitivity.
In western Europe, Amsterdam Schiphol remains one of the most challenged hub airports in terms of noise restrictions and, relatedly, night flights.
Over the next five years, AMS says it needs to invest roughly €6 billion ($6.5 billion) in its facilities, with the airport charges helping to reach that amount, contributing to maintenance and quality improvement costs. Robert Carsouw, CFO of the airport’s owner and operator, the Royal Schiphol Group, says:
“This sharp increase in charges is necessary to invest in the desired quality and sustainability at Schiphol, to improve services to airlines and passengers, and to provide decent working conditions for all people working at Schiphol. In addition, by making it significantly more expensive or even impossible to fly with noisier aircraft and to fly at night, we are contributing to the reduction of nuisance to our neighbours.”
They will be distributed across the three years as follows:
• 41% increase in 2025
• 5% increase in 2026
• 7.5% increase in 2027
– simpleflying
