Schiphol Airport legal and operational disputes

Schiphol Airport is facing various legal challenges regarding its operational and financial structures. In mid-September 2026, a Dutch court ruled that the Association on Air Transport (TLN) has the right to participate in legal proceedings and consultations concerning the airport’s tariff structures. This decision overturned a previous position by the Authority for Consumers and Markets, allowing the TLN to represent logistics interests regarding a new tariff system that increases costs for certain aircraft types.

Shortly after, in late September 2026, a court in The Hague upheld Schiphol’s decision to proceed with a new ground handling tender. The ruling rejected injunctions from Swissport, Aviapartner, and Menzies, who had challenged a plan to reduce the number of active ground handlers from six to three. The court found no evidence of predetermined preference in the selection of KLM’s ground handling division, Viggo, and Dnata. The reduction in providers is part of a 2024 ministerial initiative intended to improve safety and reduce congestion on airport platforms.