Schiphol invested a billion euros in the airport last year; increase of 40 percent

Schiphol spent a record 1 billion euros on investments last year, said CEO Pieter van Oord of the airport during the New Year’s reception. “That is over 40 percent more than the year before and a record that we have not seen in, I’d say, 100 years at Schiphol,” Van Oord added.

Schiphol invested half of this money into repairs and maintenance, the other went to sustainability and innovation. The airport also announced its plans to invest billions of euros in the infrastructure, working conditions, and service provision over the next few years. In total, Schiphol wants to invest six billion euros in five years.

The CEO also discussed the airlines. "In order to continue to connect the Netherlands well with the rest of the world and to ensure that Schiphol is a pleasant home base for all Dutch people, we will have to invest significantly," said Van Oord.

“If we want a high-quality airport, then that has a price,” said the CEO. The port fees have had to be increased significantly in the coming years to finance the investments. "We understand that this is painful for airlines. However, we are convinced that these large investments are also in the interest of the airlines."

Airlines have previously decried this year's 41 percent fare hike, with KLM calling it "unreasonable and unwise" and warning that higher ticket prices for travelers are inevitable.

The new rates are used to make a "substantial" contribution to noise reduction at the airport, according to Van Oord. Airlines are "stimulated" to use their quietest aircraft, and night flights are becoming considerably more expensive than day flights. And the noisiest aircraft are being banned," the CEO lists. "All in all, this is Schiphol's most important move to reduce noise since the opening of the Polderbaan."

The CEO expects an increase in the number of passengers that will travel via the airport in the next few years and a decision about a newly built terminal. He claims that Schiphol needs this space for the increase in the number of passengers and for extra capacity to make maintenance possible.