Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has reported positive preliminary passenger traffic results for 2017.

In a statement issued today, Royal Schiphol Group revealed that *68.4m passengers flew from, to, or via the European hub last year – an increase of +7.7% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, air transport movements recorded 496,747 – a rise of +3.7% year-on-year.

Its regional airports performed well in equal measure, with Eindhoven Airport (where it holds a 51% stake) growing passenger volumes by 19.4% to 5.7m.

Meanwhile, Rotterdam The Hague Airport (where Royal Schiphol Group is the sole owner and operator) registered a rise in its passenger numbers of 5.3% to 1.7m.

RETAIL’S TIMELY BOOST

Today’s figures are a welcome fillip to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s extensive plans to reconfigure its concourse retail areas.

As reported exclusively by TRBusiness, Schiphol is set to introduce a series of new clustered shopping areas around its terminal piers this year [G,E,F and D], replacing five semi-permanent units housing sunglasses, news & convenience, F&B and a selection of top performing duty free offers from its core selection situated at Pier B close to departure lounge 1 (serving European flights).

The plan is to connect the new clustered shopping areas to Pier A, which is set to open in 2019. Thereafter, the pier will have its own commercial area.

Upgrades play into wider infrastructure development plans, which include the opening of the airport’s new €313m ($369m) expanded terminal, which is expected to open in 2023.

To read more on Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s ambitious retail plans, click here.

*Definitive figures are set to be disclosed in Royal Schiphol Group’s financial statement on 16 February.