Amsterdam Schiphol Airport has announced that between 2024 and 2027, the airport is investing 3 billion EUR in maintenance and upgrades.
This will include the renewal of key airport infrastructure, including Pier C, the baggage basement, climate-control systems, walkways, aircraft stands and taxiways.
In doing so, the airport will prioritise quality over quantity to improve the airport experience for employees, travellers and airlines.
Ruud Sondag, CEO of Royal Schiphol Group said:After too much of a focus on costs and growth for many years, we must now play catch-up in order to offer employees, travellers and airlines the necessary quality.
We are going to catch up on maintenance to improve, upgrade and make the airport more sustainable. This is necessary and in everybody's interest at the airport. Good working conditions, reliability, sustainability and safety are our starting points. It's a big task, with works at the heart of the airport and a continuous operation.
Major projects that will benefit from this investment include:
- Renovating Lounges 1 and 2 to eliminate bottlenecks and expand the range of services
- The renewal of more than 200 walkways and lifts and the replacement of 18 passenger bridges
- Ongoing construction work on Pier A
- The renovation of Pier C, including improvements in technology, systems, sustainability, spatial layout and seating
- Construction of a new baggage basement and upgrades to the existing baggage system
Schiphol is also working to implement lifting aids in all baggage handling locations by April 2024. In addition, it will renovate 136 rest areas and 224 toilet blocks to further improve working conditions for employees.
Sustainability
The airport is working to reduce emissions from diesel and jet engines and has therefore introduced new electric equipment for aircraft at the gate.
It is also phasing out the use of fossil-fuelled ground support vehicles, including baggage tractors and hotel shuttles.
Furthermore, to prepare the airport for a large demand for electricity, it is constructing a new high-voltage substation.
Safety
In addition, the airport is investing in airside safety, such as through its dual taxiway Quebec project which will enhance the flow of departing and arriving aircraft.
At aircraft stands and taxiways, it is also carrying out necessary maintenance of asphalt and concrete.
