Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has had new charges that it introduced in April approved by the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM).
Airport charges are set to increase by 37% over the next three years, for what Schiphol describes as “necessary investments”, to improve the quality of the airport.
In April, the Netherlands' largest airport said airlines will have to pay Schiphol an average of €15 more for a local departing passenger in 2027, when compared to 2024. Schiphol previously stated that these increased charges would be driven by high inflation and increased interest rates over the past three years, with the charges also including compensation for losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rates for quieter aircraft will go down while older, noisier planes will be charged relatively more. These charges will go up by 41% in 2025, 5% in 2026, and then down by 7.5% in 2027.
“We are investing in improving the quality of service to passengers and airlines, sustainability, good working conditions for everyone working at Schiphol and a good balance with our environment,” said Robert Carsouw, Schiphol's CFO. “We are working with vigour and in collaboration with airlines on all of these matters.”
The ACM said that it checked Schiphol's charges following complaints from airlines and interest groups about the extent of the increase and the fact that take-off and landing charges will be a lot higher for aircraft making relatively more noise. The Dutch competition regulator found that this increase in charges is not unreasonable, coming to this verdict after comparing the charges with other airports, while noting that their investigation made it clear that these do not exceed Schiphol's underlying costs.
Night flights will also be subjected to additional charges.