DutchNews.nl - EasyJet angry at being cut out of Schiphol commission

EasyJet CEO Carolyn McCall is ‘really surprised’ that KLM is the only airline involved in discussions on the future of Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, the Financieele Dagblad reports on Wednesday.

Last week junior economic affairs minister Joop Atsma set up a special commission to decide what sort of flights should have priority at the state-owned airport but KLM is the only airline represented.

‘I’ve never come across anything like it,’ McCall told the paper in an interview. ‘The government is only allowing one interested party to talk about the future of its own airport.’

McCall fears politicians and the new commission will force budget airlines like easyJet to use other airports, like Lelystad – something which easyJet strongly opposes. Lelystad, on the Flevoland polder, has been earmarked for expansion but is much further from Amsterdam.

The committee is chaired by former minister Hans Alders, KLM supervisory board member Hans Smits, Schiphol supervisory board member Herman Hazewinkel and former senior civil servant Marcel van Gastel.

They are charged with solving a long-running dispute between Schiphol and KLM about the airport’s expansion plans.

KLM controls 70% of Schiphol’s capacity but easyJet is the airport’s second biggest client, the FD says.

Readers' Comments

The only difference between KLM-AirFrance and easyJet is that the second is actually making profit.
If easyJet is forced to used Lelystaad airport (is there an airport in Lelystaad? what for???), it will probably cancel its flight to Holland.
So less tourists because of the wiet-pas plus less tourist because of easyJet moves out, way to go to boost economy!

By joanna | 22 August 2012 9:56 AM

This does seem crazy, as a regular passenger on KLM, BA and Easyjet from Schiphol I really don't want only KLM deciding the future there, not that they aren't good, but because for a cheap option Easyjet is always the best and as such KLM will not want Easyjet in it's main airport. Crazy.

By David West | 22 August 2012 10:00 AM

KLM is great in first class you get a lovely broodje kaas met melk. If you are lucky the stewardesses might scowl at you - hot stuff.

By Simon Jones | 22 August 2012 10:48 AM

I think Schipol is the best airport in Europe. I am British and our airports,should take lessons from Schipol management.

I think Schipol is big enough. Please do not turn in to Heathrow. This is an airport,I avoid,if I can.
I do believe all airlines,which use Schipol and passengers,should have a say,in the future of Schipol.

By David | 22 August 2012 11:40 AM

Wow! How bad does that sound? So the airline which wants to have complete access to Schiphol is the only airline invited to discuss the airports future?

That would be like BA being the only airline invited to discuss changes to Heathrow - can you imagine the out cry!

By Mus | 22 August 2012 12:05 PM

KLM is no longer a State owned airline. All private airlines should have equal opportunities in using the Schipol airport.

By nl_critic | 22 August 2012 1:34 PM

Yes, Schiphol airport is huge, but that must be because it's in demand and being used a lot. I don't know if Schiphol airport is too big, but it does seem unfair that only KLM is being consulted in this matter. That means the remaining 30% of traffic at the airport is not being consulted, too large a minority to be ignored in my view.

By John Fahrtpants | 22 August 2012 5:36 PM

One of the absolute joys of visiting the Netherlands is the close proximity of (and cheap travel to) Amsterdam to the airport. Wouldn't be in a hurry to change that!

By Emma | 23 August 2012 11:21 AM

@Emma: you are correct, but the question is: would you be willing to pay more if you had no choice by KLM to fly there? How much more? would you rather stop visiting the Netherlands and opt for another country for your holidays?

By the_expat | 23 August 2012 5:03 PM

I often wonder if other large airports are doing the same...hopefully not. If this is the case, it our duty to object and file complaints.

By LLW | 25 August 2012 12:03 PM

I personally know of at least 30 people who, because of the "wietpas" , will no longer be spending thousands of their hard-earned euros per year in Amsterdam. So who cares anyway what other strategy the Dutch dream up to destroy their own economy?

By Malcolm Kyle | 27 August 2012 8:31 AM