KLM to appeal against decision to allow Amsterdam Schiphol price hike

Dutch airline KLM is to appeal against a decision that allows an increase in fees at Amsterdam Schiphol airport (AMS).

The airport operator has decided to increase its fees by 9%, 12% and 12% respectively over the three years from 2022 to 2024, equivalent to a cumulative 37% increase.

KLM had initially taken legal action at the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) against the airport’s decision on November 25, 2021. However, the ACM on March 24, 2022 rejected the objection of KLM and sister airlines KLM Cityhopper, Transavia, Martinair and Air France.

“KLM is extremely disappointed that the ACM has chosen to disregard almost all of the airlines’ objections and has missed an opportunity to further supplement the reasonableness of the Aviation Act, which could have resulted in a proportionate distribution of the pain of the COVID crisis,” the airline said in a statement on April 21, 2022.

KLM said the airport’s “excessive charges” shifts the business risks that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic period on to the airlines. “There is no alternative airport infrastructure of this scale in the Netherlands. Airlines are therefore forced to purchase their services from Schiphol,” KLM said, describing Schiphol as monopolist.

The airline said it will therefore lodge an appeal against the ACM decision with the Dutch Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (CBb).