Passengers flying to and from Schiphol can expect to pay €15 more each way next year

The rates Schiphol charges airlines to use the airport will increase by a total of 37 percent in three years, the airport announced on Thursday. As a result, airlines will pay Schiphol an average of around 15 euros more for a locally departing passenger in 2027 compared to 2024. These costs are expected to be passed on to passengers.

"The increase is the result of exceptionally high inflation and sharply increased interest rates over the past three years," Schiphol said. The rates also include compensation for the lost revenues from the coronavirus pandemic. The rates will increase by 41 percent in 2025, by 5 percent in 2026, and decrease by 7.5 percent in 2027, the airport reported. A caveat was made: "The final rates for 2026 and 2027 will be formally established in the coming two years. These may still be influenced by future settlements and future external factors."

In order to "dampen" the increase in rates for airlines, Schiphol is making a contribution of 100 million euros. "With this, the airport wants to keep the rates as low as possible without compromising what is necessary for the airport operation."

According to Schiphol, the "significant increase" in rates is necessary to invest in "the desired quality and sustainability at Schiphol, to improve the service to airlines and passengers, and to offer decent working conditions to all people who work at Schiphol," said Robert Carsouw, Schiphol's financial director, in an explanation.

"In addition, by making flying with noisier aircraft and flying at night considerably more expensive or impossible, we contribute to reducing nuisance for our environment," he continued. According to him, night flights will be approximately three to six times more expensive than a flight during the day, depending on the type of aircraft.

Marnix Fruitema, the chairman of the interest group for airlines in the Netherlands BARIN, fears that travelers will switch to cheaper airports such as Brussels because of the price increases. BARIN is urging Schiphol to revise the proposal.

"BARIN is very concerned about Schiphol's competitive position compared to other (European) airports, mainly due to a pile-up of all kinds of costs. We will analyze before the end of November whether we should appeal to the ACM," said Fruitema. The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) monitors any disruptions to markets.

Schiphol warned in August that the airport's operating costs for airlines would have to increase "significantly" over the next three years. Schiphol needs more money to be able to finance the record amount of investments up to 2029. The airport also wants to increase its own commercial performance, for example, in operating shops, by renewing the range. New loans are also needed, but for this to happen, its own income must increase first.

BARIN is supporting Schiphol’s investment plan. However, the trade association is "against the principle that airlines should pay the extra costs or budget overruns". BARIN also finds it strange that Schiphol can still include compensation in the port charges for next year for the lost revenues from the coronavirus period.

The rates at Schiphol are determined once every three years.