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Last week, Air Cargo Netherlands (ACN), Transport and Logistics Netherlands (TLN), and Fenex, the Dutch Freight Forwarders Association, jointly filed a complaint with the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets regarding Schiphol Airport's planned price hikes. Announced in November, the increases are set to raise airline charges by 37% over three years.

The new pricing model rewards quieter aircraft with lower landing fees while imposing higher costs on older, noisier planes, particularly freighters. Night flights will also have additional charges, which are according to the associations, disproportionately impacting the freight sector. ACN, TLN, and Fenex support rate differentiation to reduce noise pollution and improve conditions for local residents, but argue the proposed increases are excessive and overly abrupt. 

The three associations express concerns for wide fee disparities, noting that some passenger aircraft are charged €380 during the day, while a freight aircraft could face fees up to €55,000 for night operations. They forecast that rates for common freighters like the Boeing 777F and Boeing 747-400F will make Schiphol the most expensive EU airport for air cargo. The associations have also argued that global supply chain delays have pushed deliveries of newer, quieter aircraft to 2027, leaving operators unable to meet the new requirements.

These increase charges risk forcing cargo airlines to either absorb costs - potentially increasing noise pollution - or relocate to other airports. Such a shift could harm the Dutch economy and increase truck traffic, undermining environmental objectives. The associations also argue that the price rises conflict with the Aviation Act, the Schiphol Airport Operations Decree and the Competition Act.

Source: AirCargoNews.com, Air Cargo Netherlands