Schiphol picks dnata, KLM and Viggo for new ground handling model
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is overhauling its baggage and aircraft ground handling system, cutting the number of providers from six to three. Preliminary tender winners are dnata, KLM and Viggo.
According to Schiphol, the change is meant to improve cooperation between companies, working conditions for staff and service levels for airlines and passengers. The three selected companies scored highest on five predefined qualitative criteria, including service quality, staff treatment and cooperation.
What's changing
- The number of handling companies at Schiphol will fall from six to three.
- The selected companies will have to share equipment more often and invest more in sustainability.
- The current open-market model is ending, replaced by a concession system.
- Selected companies
- dnata, KLM, Viggo
- Concession length
- 7 years
- Expected final award
- Q3 2026
- New setup starts
- Q2 2027
The new arrangement follows a decision by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to regulate the ground handling market at Schiphol. The selected companies will sign contracts directly with airlines, and the airport expects carriers to have contracts finalized by the end of 2026, with employees learning who their new employer will be in early 2027.
Schiphol states that the change will not lead to job losses and that the aim is to ensure a smooth transition for employees to their new employer while preserving working conditions. The transition terms were agreed between the handling companies' employer association WPBL and the FNV trade union.