Logistics companies may leave the Amsterdam region now that Schiphol is less attractive for freight operators due to a new slot policy. The Amsterdam region is warning about this.
Schiphol is using a new slot allocation from next winter, which is unfavourable for cargo carriers. Airlines that are less punctual get less space. This is more often the case with cargo planes. Because of the measure, Schiphol already lost Russian cargo carrier Air Bridge Cargo and Singapore Airlines. This winter, airlines such as Turkisch Airlines, Air China, China Cargo Airlines and Cathay Pacific are also expected to be able to fly to Schiphol with less cargo.
Consequences for Amsterdam region
This could prove unfavourable for Amsterdam as a logistics region, Adam Elzakalai, Haarlemmermeer alderman for economic and airport affairs, warns to stadszaken.nl. "Surely it cannot be the case that we as a municipality invest in an attractive business climate for logistics companies, such as with Schiphol Logistic Park, for example, and then people say: 'You can do that landing and take-off of cargo flights elsewhere, because we are full.'"
'Economic consequences incalculable'
The cargo sector would be relatively unimportant for Schiphol. Only a few percent of all aircraft carry only cargo. Yet that few per cent does have a a major impact on logistics companies in the region. The Amsterdam logistics sector employs several tens of thousands of people.
It remains to be seen whether cargo operators will divert en masse to Germany or Belgium. According to Elzakalai, the first signs do point in that direction. "Please, let's not underestimate this. Logistics provides employment for thousands of people. A logistics company setting up here also wants to be able to handle its cargo flights here. If slot allocation is not adjusted soon and air cargo has to be flown via Belgium or Germany, the economic consequences are incalculable."
