Dutch competition regulator clears Schiphol Airport charge hikes

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has thrown out legally filed complaints by airlines relating to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s (Schiphol Airport) adjusted charges that became effective on April 1, 2023.

The complaints were based on such problems as long lines at security checkpoints in 2022, which were primarily as a result of staff shortages. ACM requested full details on measures that Schiphol Airport had taken to reinstate the quality of its services. Schiphol Airport now anticipates that these measures which have been put in place and which mainly relate to staff numbers, will sufficiently restore the quality of service.

Based on this information, ACM has ruled that Schiphol’s adjusted charges are not unreasonable. Early in 2022, ACM ruled that Schiphol had set the charges for the period 2022-2024 in accordance with legal requirements. Various carriers filed an appeal against this decision, meaning that the court still has to decide on this matter.

Meanwhile, Schiphol Airport has adjusted the charges to take into account the differences in costs and in revenues. However, those airlines which filed the complaints find these adjusted charges unreasonable. That is primarily as a direct consequence of a reduced quality of service at the airport. Schiphol Airport is arguing that it already has resolved staffing issues to the point where 95% of passengers no longer have to stand in line at the security checkpoints for lengthy periods of time, though the airport does expect longer lines as a result of high demand during the school holiday period in May. Lines may also form, for example, at immigration checkpoints and baggage handling. However, other entities are responsible for the quality of those services.

Schiphol Airport is the principal Dutch international airport and is located some 9 km to the southwest of the nation’s capital, Amsterdam. In 2021 It was classed as the world’s third-busiest airport by international passenger numbers, and the busiest airport in Europe in terms of aircraft movements.