As with several other major airports in Europe, the challenge of capacity is having a direct impact on consumer services and commercial activities at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Airport owner Royal Schiphol Group saw a -2.2% fall in airside retail per passenger spending last year (though this was partly offset by a strong performance in F&B). Of the retail result, the company noted bluntly in its year-end report: “This is a result of changed consumer behaviour and overcrowding in the terminal.”

Today, Schiphol Group’s most pressing concern is that it has reached its limit on air transport movements. Its airports handled 496,748 movements last year but cannot exceed 500,000 up to and including 2020. This in turn has an effect on passenger growth, a key retail driver.

The newly renovated Holland Boulevard builds on Schiphol’s strong Sense of Dutch Place

Before he left his role in March, President & CEO Jos Nijhuis called for “new agreements on smart and sustainable development of aviation beyond 2020” and stressed: “Until this extra capacity becomes available, we will continue to take further operational measures to avoid bottlenecks at peak times.”

The group is addressing the challenge, though it will take time. As we reported last year, under Schiphol Group’s Capital Programme the airport will be expanded considerably in the years ahead to include a new pier in 2019 and new terminal in 2023.

The new terminal will adjoin Departure and Arrival Halls 1 and allow 14 million more passengers to travel through Schiphol annually. Crucially, it will form an extension of the existing building, allowing Schiphol to retain the one terminal concept, with all facilities under one roof.