Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is set to become the second most expensiv
airport in Europe, following its decision to raise airport fees by a staggering 41% in the coming year.
This increase comes on top of a 40% tariff hike over the past three years, creating serious concerns for both airlines and passengers.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has voiced strong opposition to the decision, warning that such excessive fee hikes will inevitably lead to higher ticket prices, making air travel more expensive for millions of passengers.
A Costly Outlier in European Aviation
No other major European airport has opted for such drastic fee increases. Schiphol’s new pricing will significantly outpace other leading hubs such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Copenhagen (CPH). While Schiphol is planning years of construction and renovations to improve traveler experience, KLM argues that these escalating costs should not be unfairly shifted onto airlines and passengers.
"Schiphol is placing the costs of all setbacks and COVID-19 entirely on the airlines," said Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM. "This is unreasonable and unwise. More expensive tickets are inevitable if airport charges are increased so drastically. Schiphol risks undermining its competitive position as an international hub, which poses serious threats to the Netherlands' connectivity and economy."
KLM's Call for Fair Solutions
Despite its criticism of the fee hikes, KLM acknowledges that Schiphol is in urgent need of improvements. The airline supports efforts to modernize facilities, enhance services, and reduce noise pollution. It also backs the introduction of differentiated tariffs to encourage airlines to operate quieter aircraft.
However, KLM insists that these developments must be balanced and fair, rather than imposing financial burdens on airlines and travelers. With Schiphol’s growing costs, the Dutch aviation sector faces an uncertain future—one that could see travelers paying significantly more for flights through the Netherlands.
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