KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL, Amsterdam Schiphol) has warned that Amsterdam Schiphol is set to become one of the most expensive airports in Europe, with airline user charges increasing by 41% in 2025 as part of a broader plan to raise fees by 38.5% over the next three years. This increase will result in airlines paying an average of EUR15 euros (USD16) more per departing passenger by 2027 compared to 2024.
Schiphol, on October 31, announced that user charges on airlines would increase by 41% in 2025 and 5% in 2026 and decrease by 7.5% in 2027. The final rates for 2026 and 2027 are to be set formally over the next two years and may still be affected by future settlements and external factors. It said the rationale behind these increases includes the need to address high inflation, rising interest rates, and to compensate for losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schiphol aims to use the additional revenue to make EUR6 billion (USD6.5 billion) worth of infrastructure improvements over the next five years.
In reaction, KLM has warned that higher airfares will be inevitable as airlines will pass on the cost of the user fee hike. KLM CEO Marjan Rintel labelled Schiphol's actions as "unreasonable and unwise". "Unreasonable, because Schiphol is placing the costs of all setbacks and COVID-19 entirely on the airlines. Unwise, because in doing so, the airport undermines its competitive position as an international hub. This poses risks for the hub function, the connectivity of the Netherlands, and our economy," she warned in a statement.
"Schiphol will become the second most expensive airport in Europe, as it raises its fees by 41% in the coming year. This increase comes on top of the 40% tariff increase over the past three years. This has major implications for both travellers and the aviation sector. As the costs of setbacks at Schiphol are passed on to airlines, higher ticket prices for travellers are inevitable," the airline warned.
To lessen the impact of regulated charges on airlines, Schiphol said it was making a EUR100 million (USD108 million) voluntary contribution to keep fees low while maintaining operational capacity. Additionally, Schiphol aims to reduce noise pollution by lowering charges for quieter aircraft and increasing fees for older, noisier models, with certain planes set to be banned by 2025. Night flights will also incur extra charges.
"This sharp increase in charges is necessary to invest in the desired quality and sustainability at Schiphol, to improve services to airlines and passengers, and to provide decent working conditions for all people working at Schiphol. In addition, by making it significantly more expensive or even impossible to fly with noisier aircraft and to fly at night, we are contributing to the reduction of nuisance to our neighbours," commented Robert Carsouw, chief financial officer of the Royal Schiphol Group, the owner and operator of the airport.
KLM agreed with Schiphol that improving the airport and better service for passengers are urgently needed. "The state of maintenance of buildings and workplaces does not meet the needs of travellers and employees at Schiphol. KLM also supports efforts to reduce noise pollution and the use of tariff differentiation to encourage airlines to deploy quieter aircraft."
