Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) processed 51 million passengers last year, +2.6% up on 2011, but expects only a small increase in numbers in 2013 – and a slight decrease in freight.

 

The record pax numbers, still provisional, came in a year when AMS expanded its network from 313 to 317 direct destinations, but they were accompanied by a -3% fall in freight to 1.5 million tons, usually a reliable indicator of economic conditions.

 

Jos Nijhuis (below), Schiphol Group’s President and CEO, says: “The results are good, and better than expected, for both passengers and freight.” He describes the performance of hub carrier KLM as “magnificent”.

 

SECURITY UPHEAVAL AND NEW INVESTMENT
A major change that will fundamentally affect the airport is renovation work to switch from decentralised to central security at the whole airport which starts this year. The aim is to make boarding more efficient while enabling the airport to meet current (and new) European regulations. Nijhuis admits: “It is a major operation that will have repercussions on much of the airport.”

 

In addition to the central security work, AMS is preparing an investment programme for the further development of its Mainport concept [similar to that of an airport city with intermodal transport, businesses and services in a strategic location-Ed]. Detailed plans will be specified in the coming months in consultation with key stakeholders.

 

As for traffic this year, Nijhuis says: “For 2013 we are expecting a small increase in the number of passengers and a slight shrinkage in freight.”