Schiphol is sticking to a substantial increase in its rates, which will make airline tickets considerably more expensive in the coming years. The airport has adjusted the initial increase downwards, but the airlines find that completely insufficient.
Schiphol wants to increase airport charges by 37 percent over the next three years. This means that the costs for a plane ticket will rise considerably. Airlines will have to pay 38 euros in airport charges per passenger in 2024, 10 euros more than now. For transfer passengers, the rates will increase from 13.50 to 18.50 euros.
According to the airport, it is inevitable that the airlines will contribute to the enormous corona losses. “During the pandemic, we lost 1.6 billion euros, 1.2 billion of which in port charges,” said financial chief executive Robert Carsouw.
42 percent up
Initially, the airport wanted to increase airport charges by 42 percent between 2022 and 2025. That has been lowered after fierce criticism from the companies. “We are now asking the companies for a 318 million euro contribution. That is a quarter of the lost harbor dues. We think that’s reasonable.”
According to the CEO, it is impossible for Schiphol to take on all the losses. “The law does not allow us to make a profit from port dues in good times. That means that in bad times we really can’t accept a loss. Due to the exceptional situation, we will do so anyway.”
According to the companies, the ‘gesture’ is completely insufficient. According to trade association Barin, almost three quarters of Schiphol’s corona losses are attributable to the airline companies. “I do not understand that the CFO of Schiphol comes to a different calculation,” says chairman Marnix Fruitema of Barin, the trade association of airlines.
To price out of the market
He points to the millions of income from real estate and the sale of shares in the French ADP, which Schiphol keeps to itself. The airport is pricing itself out of the market, according to Fruitema. “In the rest of Europe, the rates will rise between 0 and 5 percent, at Schiphol 37 percent. While we have to remain competitive here, because Schiphol’s appeal is less than that of London, Frankfurt or Paris.”
Supervisor ACM will consider the tariff proposal and the objections of the companies. A decision will be made before the end of the year. The new rates will come into effect on April 1.
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