Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands Launches Tender to Enhance Ground Handling Services, Boost Employee Welfare, and Improve Passenger Experience

Published on December 5, 2025

Schiphol Airport has embarked on a significant move to enhance the quality of ground handling services and improve working conditions for its employees by launching a new tendering process. This process, which began on December 4th, 2025, will see the selection of three ground handling companies responsible for key tasks such as baggage handling, aircraft loading and unloading, placing chocks under aircraft wheels, and connecting ground power units. By initiating this tender, Schiphol aims to raise service quality, improve efficiency, and provide better working conditions for the thousands of employees who play an essential role in ensuring the smooth running of airport operations.

Currently, six companies manage these critical services at Schiphol. With the new tender process, Schiphol aims to streamline these operations by reducing the number of handling companies involved. This reduction will give the airport greater control over service quality and employee welfare, ensuring a more organized, efficient, and sustainable approach to ground operations—ultimately enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers.

Improving Service Quality for Travelers

Ground handling companies are integral to the smooth flow of passengers and baggage at Schiphol. From ensuring timely baggage loading and unloading to ensuring that all ground tasks around the aircraft are completed carefully and efficiently, these companies play a crucial role in keeping the airport running on schedule. Schiphol’s decision to outsource its ground handling operations to a smaller, more focused group of partners will help the airport create more effective collaboration between stakeholders, enhancing both service quality and operational efficiency.

The previous open market model, which led to intense competition and fragmented service delivery, was deemed less effective. In 2023, Schiphol introduced a sector-wide collective labour agreement (CLA) to improve working conditions for employees, a key step toward enhancing the overall airport environment. This new tender process is a direct response to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management’s initiative to collaborate with fewer handling companies, working under a more controlled framework with concession agreements and contracts with airlines.

Optimizing Operations and Sustainability for a Better Travel Experience

With the aim of making Schiphol a more efficient and sustainable airport, reducing the number of handling companies offers an opportunity to optimize operations. By increasing the joint use of handling equipment, Schiphol can free up space on the apron, making operations smoother and more environmentally sustainable. The new strategy ensures that resources are used more effectively, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency—benefiting both the employees working on the apron and the passengers relying on timely baggage handling and aircraft turnarounds.

In addition to optimizing operational efficiency, Schiphol is also setting higher standards for service quality and employee welfare. Passengers will benefit from shorter waiting times for baggage upon arrival, with the overall travel experience becoming more reliable and seamless. These improvements will ensure that travellers at Schiphol experience smoother, faster, and more consistent service, enhancing their overall journey.

A Strong Focus on Employee Welfare and Knowledge Retention

As part of this transition, Schiphol remains committed to ensuring that its ground handling workforce continues to work under fair conditions while retaining the valuable experience and knowledge they bring to the airport’s operations. Retaining existing jobs and employment conditions is a top priority for Schiphol, and the airport has signed a covenant with ground handling companies and the FNV trade union to ensure that the transition from one handling company to another is smooth and transparent for employees.

By protecting jobs and employment conditions, Schiphol aims to create a stable work environment for employees throughout the tendering process. The airport understands that such transitions can be stressful, which is why it is working closely with all stakeholders involved to ensure job security and certainty for employees, ensuring a smooth experience for the people behind the scenes who make air travel possible.

Ensuring Transparency Through a Thorough Tendering Process

Schiphol’s tendering process will be carried out in compliance with European legislation, beginning on December 4th, 2025, and expected to conclude by the third quarter of 2026. After the selection process, there will be a transition period that will allow the new handling companies to begin operations in the first quarter of 2027. The new contracts will span seven years, providing long-term stability for both Schiphol and the handling companies, ensuring that airport operations continue without interruption.

This transparent process underscores Schiphol’s commitment to improving not only the efficiency of its ground handling services but also to maintaining its position as an attractive workplace, ensuring both operational excellence and employee satisfaction.

Schiphol’s Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation

Schiphol has long been committed to sustainability, and this tender is a crucial step in making the airport more environmentally friendly and future-proof. In 2022, Schiphol outlined its roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, and the airport has already made significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint. By streamlining ground handling services and optimizing operations, Schiphol is reducing waste and improving its sustainability efforts, aligning with the broader goal of reducing environmental impact while enhancing the passenger experience.

These improvements in ground handling operations are part of Schiphol’s broader strategy to enhance the efficiency of airport services, making it an even more attractive hub for both travellers and airline partners.

Conclusion: A Streamlined, Smarter Schiphol Airport for Better Passenger Experience

Schiphol’s decision to streamline its ground handling operations and work with a smaller number of carefully selected companies represents a pivotal shift towards a more efficient, sustainable, and employee-friendly airport. This move not only promises to improve service quality and operational efficiency but also ensures that passengers will experience shorter waiting times and smoother operations, all contributing to a more seamless travel experience.

By retaining experienced employees, ensuring fair working conditions, and introducing more sustainable practices, Schiphol is setting the stage for a smarter and more efficient future, one that is focused on delivering the highest quality of service to both passengers and employees.