Schiphol is halving the number of ground handling operators on the airport apron. Dnata, KLM and Viggo will be responsible for baggage and aircraft handling at the airport for the next seven years.
Menzies/WFS, Aviapartner and Swissport have been left out of the running. The decision follows a thorough selection process and a decision by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to reduce the number of ground handling operators at Schiphol from six to three.
The new market situation at Schiphol is intended to ensure greater control over quality, safety and working conditions. According to the Ministry, with six active ground handling operators, there was fierce price competition, low profitability, high work pressure and limited quality.
The FNV trade union had previously described the situation as a ‘race to the bottom’ in baggage handling at Schiphol. By halving the number of operators, the sector should have more scope to invest in people, processes and safety. However, this will be accompanied by higher charges in the ground handling sector.
For airlines, the new structure means that they will soon only be able to enter into contracts with the three selected ground handling operators. Schiphol expects airlines to finalise new agreements with Dnata, KLM and Viggo by the end of this year. Further information on international air logistics can be found on the air freight page.
According to Schiphol, no jobs will be lost at the airport as a result of the tender process. Employees of the parties that lose their contracts will be given the opportunity, during a transitional period, to join the three selected ground handling operators.
In this way, the airport is seeking to prevent the loss of knowledge and experience. This is important because ground handling relies heavily on skilled professionals who are familiar with safety procedures, aircraft types, apron regulations and the day-to-day dynamics at the airport.
The transition to the new structure is due to begin sometime in the second quarter of next year. From that point onwards, it will become clear how smoothly staff, contracts, processes and operational arrangements can be transferred.
The measure does not apply directly to the cargo sector. In addition to KLM and Dnata, Swissport, WFS/Menzies and DHL will continue to offer ground handling services there. Nevertheless, the air cargo sector is viewing the changes on the airport apron with concern.
Industry representative ACN warns of temporary disruptions caused by staff changes and the introduction of new protocols. Operations could come under particular pressure as we approach the summer of 2027, as the entire apron operation is set to undergo a major overhaul.
Predictability is crucial for air freight. Delays on the apron can affect cut-off times, connections, lorry scheduling, warehouse capacity and document flows. Particularly in the case of time-sensitive shipments, a temporary disruption can quickly have consequences for the entire logistics chain.
With the new model, Schiphol aims to gain greater influence over the quality of ground handling. Fewer service providers should lead to better cooperation, more streamlined processes and clearer responsibilities on the apron.
The airport expects ground handlers to be able to invest more in training, safety, sustainable equipment and better working conditions. This should make the sector less vulnerable to staff shortages and operational pressures.
For the cargo sector, however, it remains essential to monitor the transition closely. Air cargo is closely intertwined with passenger operations, apron capacity and tight time slots. When processes change, freight forwarders, airlines and ground handlers must be able to adapt quickly.
For companies importing or exporting via Schiphol, the upcoming transition period is important. New protocols, staff changes and contractual arrangements may affect lead times and planning.
This applies in particular to shipments with short lead times, high value, temperature-sensitive goods or tight delivery windows. In air freight, there is little room for delay. Even a minor disruption on the apron can lead to adjusted trucking arrangements, delayed delivery or the need for additional communication with customers.
TOP is closely monitoring developments at Schiphol. It remains important for customers to coordinate air freight shipments in good time, provide complete documentation and take into account potential peak periods during the transition. Read more about customs, exports and imports.
…ground handling at an airport involves much more than just loading and unloading baggage? It also includes pushback, apron coordination, equipment, security checks and close coordination with airlines.
Air freight can also be quickly affected when routes and hubs come under pressure.
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