The new charges introduced at Schiphol are funding better quality and less noise
| Company | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol |
|---|---|
| Date | 31.10.2024 |
- The fees that Schiphol charges airlines to use the airport (so-called airport charges) will increase by a total of 37% in three years. As a result, airlines will pay Schiphol an average of 15 euros more for a local departing passenger in 2027 compared to 2024. The increase in charges is driven by exceptionally high inflation and sharply increased interest rates over the past three years. As follows from law, the charges also include compensation for the losses made during the pandemic years. The charges are increasing by 41% in 2025 and 5% in 2026 and decreasing by 7,5% in 2027*.
- To mitigate the impact of these regulated charges on airlines, Schiphol has reduced the potential charges by making a €100m voluntary contribution to keep the charges as low as possible without compromising Schiphols ability to operate the airport.
- With these charges, Schiphol is making the necessary investments in good infrastructure, better services for passengers and airlines and improved working conditions possible. Schiphol needs to invest 6 billion euros in the airport over the next five years and this will be used for maintenance and for quality improvements for passengers and airlines.
- In line with the ambition to reduce noise nuisance, Schiphol is using these charges to encourage airlines to use their quietest planes. The charges for quieter aircraft are going to be less expensive, while older, noisier planes are going to cost airlines more. Night flights will also be subjected to additional charges. There is a category of aircraft that make so much noise that they will be banned as of 2025. ‘
“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.” Robert Carsouw, CFO Royal Schiphol Group
More in balance with environment
Schiphol’s charges consist of fixed fees per passenger, along with a fee linked to aircraft type. Regarding the latter fee, newer, quieter aircraft will pay less and older, noisier aircraft will be charged more. Schiphol has had such a distinction in its airport charges for some time but is sharply tightening it for the next three years to make sure that it better reflects the impact of aircraft on the surrounding area. In addition, the difference in costs between flying during the day or at night will increase. Night flights will become approximately 3 to 6 times more expensive than a daytime flight, depending on the aircraft type. With these new charges, Schiphol can more strongly incentivise the deployment of a quieter and cleaner fleet. In 2027, the charges per aircraft category will be divided as follows:
About airport charges
Charges at Schiphol are set once every three years and are laid down in legislation and regulations, overseen by the Consumer and Market Authority (ACM). Schiphol’s current charges were set in 2021 and do not include corrections for the exceptionally high inflation, sharply increased interest rates and operating costs over the past three years. Therefore, the rates from 2022 to 2024 are more than 550 million euros lower than what is needed to cover the costs Schiphol incurs in providing services to airlines.
Schiphol is not allowed to make a profit on airport charges and spends them on keeping Schiphol running and on improving the quality of the airport. That includes runway maintenance, security, terminal maintenance and cleaning. To meet the airlines’ desire for a less steep increase in the first two years in particular, Schiphol has reduced the charges with a so-called non-aviation contribution of 100 million euros.
*The final rates for 2026 and 2027 are to be formally set over the next 2 years. They may still be affected by future settlements and future external factors.
Contact
PO Box 7501
1118 ZG Schiphol
- +31 20 794 0800
