New airport charges at Schiphol encouraging cleaner, quieter aircraft
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is encouraging the use of cleaner, quieter aircrafts through its airport charges levied on airlines. Airlines are being given a financial incentive to use cleaner, quieter aircrafts and a financial disincentive to use noisy aircrafts. This forms part of the new airport charges set by Schiphol today for the period running from 1 April 2019 until 31 March 2022. The charges for the airlines will be rising by an average of 7.9% over the next three years. Schiphol anticipates maintaining a balanced price-quality ratio compared to other hubs.
The new charges will see airlines paying 180% of the basic rate for take-off and landing fees for the noisiest, most polluting aircraft by 2021. The charge for the cleanest, quietest aircraft will be 45% of the basic rate. These fee changes will be introduced in a phased approach running to 2021. The basic rate is based on arrival or departure during the day and on handling flights at a passenger boarding bridge. Night-time rates are higher. Encouraging cleaner, quieter aircraft is part of the ‘smart and sustainable’ plan.
| Category | Aircraft type (example) |
| S1 - noisiest and most polluting | B742, MD83 |
| S2 | A300, A330, B763, B744 |
| S3 - basic rate | A320, B738, B764, B773, E170/190 |
| S4 | A319, B752, B772 |
| S5 | DH8D, E145 |
| S6 | A321NEO, B738MAX, B748, A220 |
| S7 – cleanest and quietest | A320NEO, A359, A388, B787 |
Investments in space, quality and innovation
In addition to the take-off and landing fee, Schiphol also charges for security and passenger services by way of airport charges. Over the next few years the costs of these services are set to rise, due in particular to investments being made in space, quality and innovation. For example, Schiphol is investing in a new pier and terminal, through which it will be improving service provision to airlines and passengers.
Schiphol will also be achieving this through the redesign of Departures and Lounge 1, which will see Schiphol renovating, revamping and extending the existing space. A mezzanine floor will be introduced in Departures 1, creating more space for security, check-in and waiting areas. We will also expand the Departure Lounge area at the rear, change certain routes and increase the range of facilities.
Furthermore, Schiphol will be redesigning several piers to provide a greater degree of comfort for passengers. Piers D, E, F and G will be rearranged with varied seating areas and workspaces, modern sanitary facilities and more catering and retail outlets. Schiphol is also investing in innovations such as ‘seamless flow’. The objective of this is to allow passengers to go through the border passage using biometrics.
Average development of charges at Schiphol
| 2013 | + 0,5% |
| 2014 | + 0,4% |
| 2015 | - 6,8% |
| 2016 | - 11,6% |
| 2017 | - 7,1% |
| 2018 | + 5,4% |
| 2019 | + 10,7% |
| 2020 | + 8,7% |
| 2021 | + 4,2% |
New regulations
New regulations stipulate that henceforth Schiphol is to set airport charges for three years. This used to be an annual exercise. One corollary of this is that Schiphol will now have to settle any overcharged or undercharged airport charges over three years rather than over one year. What this means for 2019 is that the 2017 settlement will have less of a dampening effect on the increases in the charges than would have been the case with the old system.
Airport charges designed to cover costs
Calculation of the airport charges is legally regulated. The charges cover the costs that Schiphol incurs for the facilities used by airlines. Schiphol sets its airport charges after consulting with all airlines operating in and out of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.