The Schiphol airport group expects a reduction in passenger numbers and freight shipments of between 6% and 10% this year, president Jos Nijhuis said at the company’s New Year reception on Monday.

NIjhuis blamed both the global financial crisis and the introduction of a new tax on flying for the downturn in the airport’s fortunes.
According to preliminary figures, the airport was used by 47.4 million passengers in 2008, down 0.8% on 2007. The number of aircraft movements fell 1.8% and freight shipments were down 1.4%.
Schiphol plans to invest €470m in projects this year, but new projects totalling €180m have been delayed until at least April, Nijhuis was reported as saying.