Royal Schiphol Group invested a record €801 million in the first half of 2026 as it continued upgrading airport infrastructure despite geopolitical disruptions that affected air traffic and financial performance.
The airport operator reported that 37.3 million passengers traveled through Schiphol, Eindhoven Airport and Rotterdam The Hague Airport during the first six months of the year, a slight increase of 0.3% compared with the same period in 2025. Schiphol Airport alone handled 32.7 million passengers.
Record Investment Supports Airport Modernization
Revenue increased by 5.6% year-on-year to €1.33 billion, while the underlying net result remained stable at €215 million. Schiphol invested a record €801 million during the period, including major spending on infrastructure upgrades, overdue maintenance, the completion of Pier A and additional electricity capacity to support airport electrification.
A significant portion of the investment included a €317 million payment related to KLM’s relocation as part of the Schiphol Centre Master Plan, one of the airport’s largest long-term redevelopment projects.
Middle East Conflict Reduced Flight Numbers
Schiphol recorded 250,788 flights across its Dutch airports during the first half of 2026, a 3% decline compared with the previous year. The airport operator said severe winter weather early in the year and disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East temporarily reduced air traffic. Higher kerosene prices also affected airline networks and passenger demand.
To help preserve international connectivity, Schiphol introduced a temporary discount on airport charges for airlines. While the measure reduced first-half financial results by €37 million, the airport said it helped support route networks and contributed to a recovery in traffic during the second quarter.
Quieter Aircraft Continue to Increase
The airport also reported continued progress toward reducing aircraft noise. During the first half of 2026, 38% of flights fell into Schiphol’s two quietest aircraft categories, up from 29% a year earlier. Measurements showed average aircraft noise levels were around two decibels lower than in 2018, reflecting the growing use of newer aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo, A321neo, A350, A330neo and Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Schiphol remained connected to 301 destinations worldwide, including 122 intercontinental routes, while welcoming several new airlines and destinations during the first half of the year.
