The Netherlands Authority for Consumers & Markets (ACM) has ruled that Schiphol Airport is permitted to increase its airport charges by 41 percent, despite objections from airlines. The decision comes as Schiphol seeks to cover increased costs and fund major renovations to its terminals, piers, and baggage systems.

Airlines, led by KLM and its subsidiary Transavia, have expressed disappointment with the rate increase, arguing that it undermines Schiphol’s position as an international hub. KLM CEO Marjan Rintel has criticized the move as “unwise”. The airlines had appealed to the ACM, which oversees Schiphol’s pricing, claiming the increase was unjustified. The ACM, however, determined that the 41 percent rate hike is “cost-covering,” meaning Schiphol will not profit from it. The increase is expected to add approximately 15 euros per departing passenger, on top of the existing 45-euro average charge.

Schiphol says the increased revenue is needed to offset higher salary expenses following disruptions in 2022 due to employee shortages, and to finance a 6 billion euro investment in infrastructure improvements.

The airlines also challenged Schiphol’s “rate differentiation” policy, which imposes higher fees on noisier aircraft and nighttime flights, despite publicly supporting the initiative as a means to reduce noise pollution and avoid further capacity reductions. The ACM upheld the rate differentiation, citing the “social interest” of minimizing noise pollution.

The ACM blocked Schiphol’s attempt to expand its blacklist of aircraft types prohibited from landing at the airport due to excessive noise. Although this decision is considered largely symbolic, as the blacklisted aircraft accounted for a small fraction of total flights in 2023.

Barin, an aviation lobby group, expressed its disappointment with the ACM’s decision and called for an amendment to the law used by the ACM for its assessment.

It remains uncertain whether airlines will appeal the ACM’s ruling to the Administrative High Court for Trade and Industry (CBb).