Schiphol to charge higher tariffs for polluting planes

Airlines will pay an average of 7.9 percent more for the use of Schiphol airport in the coming three years. Schiphol is also making it more attractive for companies that use cleaner and quieter planes to use the airport, was revealed in the new tariffs Schiphol released for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022, NU.nl reports.

New regulations stipulate that Schiphol has to determine port tariffs for three years in advance, instead of annually. In addition to takeoff and landing tariffs, Schiphol is now also charging for security and passenger services with the port tariffs. Next year Schiphol is increasing tariffs by 10.7 percent, in 2020 by 8.7 percent and in 2021 by 4.2 percent.

Under the new tariffs, airlines using the most polluting and noisy planes will pay 180 percent of the base rate of the landing and takeoff charges in 2021. This involves planes like the Boeing 747-200 and the McDonnel Douglas MD-80, among others. Airlines using quiet and clean aircraft, like the Aurbus A320neo, A350-900, A380-800 and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, will pay only 45 percent of the basic rate. The rates are also higher at night than during the day.

Dutch airline KLM called the tariffs increase "very steep". According to the airline, the increase is at least partially due to Schiphol's increased operational costs. KLM also thinks that especially quieter planes are favored with cheaper tariffs, while sustainable initiatives are not sufficiently looked at. KLM would have preferred it if shorter flights pay a higher rate than long distance flights.