Schiphol Airport Hikes Charges: What It Means for Airlines and Passengers

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will raise airport charges by 37% over the next three years. Here’s why it matters.

Charges Rise in Stages

• The fee hike begins with a steep 41% increase in 2025.
• An additional 5% follows in 2026.
• In 2027, the charges will slightly drop by 7.5%.

Despite the decrease, charges will remain significantly higher than in 2024. Passengers could pay €15 more per departure by 2027.

Why Schiphol Is Raising Fees

High Inflation and Interest Rates – Skyrocketing inflation and rising interest rates are key drivers behind the price increase.

Pandemic Recovery – Schiphol aims to recover financial losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Major Investment Plans – The revenue will support €6 billion in upgrades over five years. Projects include runway maintenance, terminal renovations, and better passenger services.

Sustainability Efforts – Fee changes will also support Schiphol’s long-term sustainability goals.

How Airlines Are Affected

Higher Costs for Airlines – Using Schiphol will become more expensive for airlines. These increased fees could lead to more expensive tickets for passengers.

KLM, Schiphol’s biggest carrier, warns the hikes may hurt its global competitiveness. It fears the hub’s attractiveness may decline.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called the increase “very disappointing.” It warned that by 2027, charges will have doubled compared to 2019.

Extra Measures and Approvals

Noisier, older aircraft will pay more to land. Newer, quieter jets will benefit from reduced charges.

The Dutch competition regulator ACM reviewed the fee structure. It found the increase “not unreasonable” given current economic pressures.

Schiphol says the changes are essential to improve service and meet environmental goals. Still, airline groups fear rising costs and reduced capacity could damage the airport’s future.