Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) plans to invest over $3 billion in maintenance and upgrade work from 2024 to 2027. Several areas of the airport will benefit, including taxiways, walkways, passenger bridges, and a new baggage basement.
The airport will invest €3 billion ($3.19 billion) into the wide-reaching infrastructure project to “catch up” on important maintenance and upgrades. Amsterdam Schiphol says there is a “backlog in the replacement and renewal of our assets,” with major target areas including its baggage hall, the aging Pier C concourse, and taxiways.
Ruud Sondag, CEO at Schiphol Airport, commented, “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. Quantity took precedence over quality and that didn’t do the assets at our airport any good. Things need to be done differently and investments need to be made in our location and facilities to align everything with our quality and sustainability ambitions.”
The leadership at Schiphol is expressly targeting efficiency and sustainability over profits. The airport has also been one of Europe’s leading sustainability voices in recent years and is eager to minimize its footprint with various initiatives.
Key aspects of the project
Schiphol has split the infrastructure project into four key areas – ‘Quality of Service,’ ‘Quality of Work,’ ‘Sustainability,’ and ‘Safety’. Below is a snapshot of the key projects in each area.
Quality of service
Maintaining high-quality airport facilities will be key to enhancing the passenger experience and operational performance.
- Expansion and renovation of Lounge 1 and Lounge 2
- Renovating more than 200 walkways and lifts
- Replacing 18 passenger bridges
- A major revamp of Pier C
- Replacing/constructing a new baggage system
Quality of work
The airport wants to reduce the physical workload of its staff and improve overall working conditions.
- Lifting aids will be increased across baggage handling work locations
- 136 rest areas and 224 toilet blocks for staff will be renovated
- New measures to protect employees from engine emissions
Sustainability
Schiphol has taken major action on the sustainability front – including its controversial flight cut plan set to go ahead next year – and its infrastructure project will continue this trend.
- Rolling out more electric ground equipment – from passenger shuttles to baggage tractors – while phasing out fossil-fueled vehicles
- Further electrification, including the construction of a high-voltage substation
- New heating and cooling systems to get off the gas grid
Safety
- Completing a dual-taxiway at ‘Quebec’ between Kaagbaan Runway and Zwanenburgbaan Runway
- Maintenance of airport grounds, taxiways, and aircraft stands
- Renovation of roads and viaducts
Simple Flying
