Concession revenues from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's Consumers business area rose by 7.7% to E.120m in 2006, despite depressed sales following last August's heightened liquids and gels security measures.

Revenues generated by those businesses falling under the 'Consumers' heading were up 11.2% in 2006, at E.231m, with concession income making the biggest contribution, followed by parking fees. The strongest revenue growth, however, was seen in advertising. Thanks to several new contracts and a couple of major campaigns on the part of financial institutions, advertising income increased 29% to E.13.7mn.
The increase in concession income was attributable to growth in passenger numbers, a higher average spend per passenger and an increase in the average level of concession fees. Car parking revenue was lifted by the increased attractiveness of long-stay parking at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol due to the introduction of the Smart Parking online booking product and higher charges for short-stay parking.
The liquids and gels ban in response to the foiled terrorist attacks in London on 10 August 2006 had the effect of depressing overall concession income by E.1.5m. However, effective marketing campaigns and the introduction of the gate delivery service minimised the impact, and concession revenue for the whole of 2006 was in fact up by the aforementioned 7.7%.
Concession revenues from the See Buy Fly shops per departing passenger on international flights was up slightly from E.3.68 to E.3.75. This was partly attributable to the opening of new shops, such as Rolex, Swatch and Mont Blanc. Car parking revenues per passenger rose by 2.2%, to E.2.78 (2005: E.2.72).
Capital income expenditure by Consumers in 2006 amounted to E.12m, concerned mainly with the acquisition of new flight information screens. The new screens carry advertising messages as well as operational information. By year-end 2007, all 2,000-plus old screens will have been replaced by 1,850 new Schiphol Dynamic Displays.
At the end of 2006, agreement was also reached with KLM for Schiphol Group to take over the operation of the liquor and tobacco retail activities in the See Buy Fly area, previously operated by KLM, with effect from 3 January 2007. In connection with this agreement a new company, Schiphol Airport Retail BV, was established for the independent operation of airport shops. Schiphol management says taking over these activities is in line with its strategy of expanding non-aviation activities.
In overall terms, the Schiphol Group recorded revenue which topped one billion euros for the first time, up 9.4% at E.1,037m (2005: E.948m). EBITDA, at E.478m was almost unchanged compared with 2005. Last year the group's airports saw a 4.6% increase in passenger numbers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Rotterdam Airport and Eindhoven Airport to 48.3m. Of those numbers, a dominant 46.1m passengers passed through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (representing a 4.3% growth).
Schiphol Ceo Gerlach Cerfontaine said: 'We can look back with satisfaction on 2006 as a year in which we exceeded our published financial forecasts. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol maintained its position as one of the four most important airports in Europe. Once again, our unique AirportCity formula proved its worth, with Consumers and Real Estate together contributing 75% of the company's operating result.’
Schiphol's Board of Management said it expects passenger numbers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to rise by almost 2m (approximately 4%) in 2007 to a total of almost 48m.