Schiphol airport is to cut airline fees and reduce security charges for passengers in an effort to boost its competitive position, CEO Jos Nijhuis said on Thursday.

The news follows the release of the group’s 2008 earnings figures, in which net profit plunged 40% to €187m. Total revenues were up marginally at €1.1bn, the group said in a statement.
While the 2008 results are ‘moderately pleasing’, the outlook for 2009 is ‘bleak,’ said Nijhuis. ‘We expect passenger numbers and air transport movements to decline by 6% to 10% respectively and cargo transport to drop by 15%.’
Earlier this month, the transport ministry said it is to investigate the cost of flying from Schiphol airport because of ‘serious concerns’ about the airport’s declining competitive position on the international market.
Scrapping the controversial flight tax introduced last July could not be ruled out, transport minister Camiel Eurlings said at the time.