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Charterflights to be moved from Schiphol Airport to Lelystad Airport
Amsterdam's Schiphol airport plans to invest €1bn in improving its facilities over the next few years, including shifting charter flights to Lelystad airport as of 2017. Talks about the future have been on-going for months between the airport authority and Dutch flag carrier KLM, which accounts for some 50% of Schiphol flights. The agreement will be discussed by the cabinet on Friday. Schiphol airport is 100% state-owned.
Intercontinental flights
According to media reports, the deal states Schiphol will improve facilities for intercontinental flights and tariffs will go up marginally for all airlines. In order to free up airspace for further expansion, thousands of charter flights will be moved to Lelystad airport, in the heart of the Flevo polder. A final decision on that move will be taken next year. The aim is to expand Lelystad's runway so that charter flights can use it intensively in 2017.
Travel companies
Umbrella tour operator organisation ANVR is enthusiastic about the move. Nevertheless, passengers should still have the choice about whether to fly from Schiphol or Lelystad, director Frans Oostdam said. Much needs to be done to prepare Lelystad for hundreds of thousands of passengers a year, he said. 'Public transport needs to be improved and the window for take-offs and landings has to be expanded. Charter aircraft need to make several trips a day to be profitable.'
However, the head of holiday company ArkeFly is angry that other airlines were not consulted about Schiphol's plans. This means ArkeFly, which takes holidaymakers to both European and long-haul destinations, will have to operate from two airports, he said.
Economy
Aviation economist Hans Heerkens told television programme Nieuwsuur the move is a logical step, and that without shifting flights to Lelystad, Schiphol risks breaking environmental rules.
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