Amsterdam Schiphol Closes in on 50 Million Passenger Milestone

Posted 03/01/2012

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the main international air gateway into the Netherlands, handled 49.8 million passengers in 2011, a 10.2 per cent increase on the previous year when the airport welcomed 45.2 million passengers.  Despite the global decline in air freight, cargo transport at the facility remained stable, recording 1.5 million tonnes of cargo, while total air transport movements rose by 8.8 per cent from 386,319 to 420,245.

"Our transport results are favourable,” said Jos Nijhuis, President and Chief Executive Officer, Schiphol Group.  “We served a record number of passengers in 2011 - almost 50 million.  Schiphol's European market share has also grown as a result.  In terms of passenger volume, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has recaptured its ranking as Europe's fourth-largest airport.”

The past 12 months were a landmark year for Amsterdam Schiphol as the airport welcomed its billionth passenger since its inception in 1916.  The airport's network was further expanded in 2011, growing from 301 to 313 of direct destinations.  Naturally, local carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was the main driver of the growth and alongside its SkyTeam partners added a number of major intercontinental markets to the Schiphol network, including Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Havana and Orlando, while European destinations grew from 162 to 169 in the 12 month period.

“Our extensive network of connections is crucial for maintaining the Netherlands' attractive business climate,” highlighted Jos Nijhuis who acknowledges that 2012 could be a tough year for the airport.  “This year will be a challenging year, in which we are expecting to see passenger volumes stabilise and cargo volumes shrink,” he added.

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