More and more passengers travel through Dutch airports

Last year, more than 58 million passengers travelled through Dutch airports, versus 46 million in 2009. Due to the considerable growth in the number of passengers, airports boasted better turnover results.

Number of passengers continues to grow

The number of passengers travelling through Dutch airports amounted to 58 million in 2013, i.e. an increase by 12 million in four years. Passenger transport accounts for the bulk of turnover generated by airports.

Since 2010, air cargo transport initially showed a downward trend as the economic recession struck. Air cargo transport suffered a great deal on account of the recession. In 2013, air transport picked up. In the fourth quarter, the total weight of goods carried by air was back at the level of the fourth quarter of 2010.

Air transport services

Passengers account for higher turnover results

In the fourth quarter of 2013, total turnover generated by Dutch airports was more than 5 percent up from the same period in 2012. The growth of passengers travelling through Dutch airports largely accounts for the turnover increase.

Turnover airports subject to seasonal variation

Turnover generated by airports is subject to seasonal variation. The first quarter, the winter period, shows the lowest turnover level. Traditionally, the highest level is realised in the third quarter, when many people go on holiday. Since 2009, passenger transport and turnover have always risen in the third quarter relative to the same period in the previous year.

Turnover distribution air transport services, 2013

Turnover results Dutch airports

Taking-off and landing fees account for nearly half of the 1.6 billion euros turnover generated by Dutch airports. In addition to the operating cost and revenue of air ports and the handling of passengers and luggage, air ports also generate income from air traffic control services, parking fees and rental of business and shopping units.

André Weber and Wick Schaafstra