Three Dutch airfreight and logistics groups have complained to the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets over Schiphol’s plans to hike prices.
The increases, announced in November, will see airline charges rise by 37% over the coming three years in response to high inflation and increased interest rates.
The charges for quieter aircraft are going to be less expensive, while older, noisier planes are going to cost airlines more. Night flights will also be subjected to additional charges.
Air Cargo Netherlands (ACN), Transport and Logistics Netherlands (TLN) and forwarding group Fenex say that the price hikes will disproportionally affect freighter operators because they operate at night and utilise older aircraft as newer production freighters won’t be available in time for the price hike.
“We support the means of rate differentiation to achieve what we all want: a quieter Schiphol with less nuisance for local residents. But the differentiation that is now being set up is too big and too fast,” the groups said.
“By too big we mean that in the near future some passenger aircraft will pay €380 during the day to land and take off (the so-called landing and take-off rates) while some freight aircraft will pay up to €55,000 at night.
“In addition, the rates are rising far too fast. Airlines are busy renewing their fleet – the orders have been placed for some time. We hoped for 2026, but the manufacturers Airbus and Boeing have indicated that due to persistent global supply chain problems, it will not be possible to deliver before 2027.”
The three groups argue that the price rises are in conflict with the Aviation Act, the Schiphol Airport Operations Decree and the Competition Act.
In the complaint, they say that the consultation procedure was not transparent and insufficiently inclusive; Schiphol did not sufficiently consider the possible consequences for airfreight when determining the rates and conditions; that the proposed rates and conditions are in conflict with the rules set out by the Aviation Act; and they have an issue way the tariffs are constructed.
They would like to see a significant additional discount for full freighters in order to maintain Schiphol’s network function for cargo.
In their analysis, the groups say that the rates for the two most used cargo aircraft at Schiphol, the Boeing 777F and the Boeing 747-400F, which together account for 65% of the full freighter movements, the airport will become by far the most expensive airport in the European Union (EU) for air cargo traffic.
“A 747-400 still pays €2,050 in 2024 to land and take off during the day, this will be €3,745 in 2025, an increase of 83%,” they say.
“In 2026 and 2027, the rates will even be €5,000 and €5,225 respectively, an increase of more than 155%. A 777F will increase from €1,400 in 2024 to €2,100 in 2025, an increase of more than 50%.”
They conclude that cargo airlines will either pay the charge and continue flying, which won’t help reduce noise levels, or move to other nearby airports which will impact the country’s economy and result in more truck movements.
Dutch air cargo group hits out at Schiphol price increases
