07
January
2013
|
13:00
Europe/Amsterdam

Record number of passengers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in 2012

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol welcomed 51 million passengers in 2012, representing a 2.6% growth relative to 2011. Never before have so many passengers travelled via Schiphol in a single year. Freight saw a 3% decrease, bringing the total to 1.5 million tons. The number of air transport movements increased slightly by 0.8% in 2012 (423,407).

Jos Nijhuis, Schiphol Group’s President and CEO, announced these provisional figures during the company’s New Year’s reception held today. “The transport results are good and better than expected, for both passengers and freight.”

“In 2012, we welcomed the 50 millionth passenger to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. What's more, the network, that is important for the retention of an attractive business climate in the Netherlands, was expanded from 313 to 317 direct destinations. A magnificent performance from our domestic carrier KLM and the other airlines.”

Central Security

The renovation work for the transition from decentralised to central security at the whole airport starts in 2013. This adaptation is being made to offer more comfort to passengers and to make the boarding process more efficient for both airlines and passengers, while enabling the airport to continue to meet current (and new) European regulations.

Jos Nijhuis: “It is a major operation that will have repercussions on much of the airport. In addition to the introduction of central security, we are currently preparing an investment programme for the further development of our Mainport. To that end, exact plans will be specified in detail in the months ahead in consultation with our key stakeholders. It is important if we are to proudly maintain the Mainport in the future. It requires wise and managed investment. We will do this step by step.”

Forecast for 2013

For 2013 we are expecting a small increase in the number of passengers and a slight shrinkage in freight”, says Jos Nijhuis.