Schiphol makes a profit but pre-pandemic level not in sight

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Royal Schiphol Group turned a profit of around €65m in the first six months of the year, offsetting a €140m loss in the same period last year, the company announced on Friday.

The upturn for the group, which apart from Schiphol consists of regional airports Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Lelystad Airport and Eindhoven Airport, is the result of a return of travellers following the coronavirus pandemic, favourable investments and government support.

The number of passenger rose by 359 percent to over 27 million, three times the number clocked up in the first six months of last year, the half-year figures show. This is still 10 million passenger short of pre-pandemic passenger traffic, however. Schiphol is expecting to handle between 51 and 55 million passengers this year.

The group said it is unsure the upward trend will continue because of inflation and a possible recession. A future wave of covid infections may also lead to travel restrictions.

Normal proceedings at the airport have also been hampered by staff shortages which have led to long queues, missed flights and lost luggage over the summer months. In August the airport said it would compensate affected passengers but it is not known what the final bill will be.

A major factor affecting Schiphol Group’s future are the government plans to reduce the maximum number of flights from 500,000 to 440,000 from November 2023 to comply with the rules around nitrogen emissions and noise pollution.