Amsterdam: Recovery of aviation sector continues

In 2010, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol welcomed 45.3 million passengers. This is a 3.8% increase compared with the preceding year, when the airport processed 43.6 million passengers. Cargo transport volumes grew by 16% to 1.5 million tonnes (from 1.3 million tonnes). In contrast, the number of commercial air transport movements fell by 1.3%, from 391,264 to 386,319.

Jos Nijhuis, Schiphol Group President and CEO, announced these provisional traffic and transport figures during the company’s New Year reception held today.

“The transport results have been positive. Emerging from the recession, the aviation sector has been able to turn around the negative trend that characterised 2009 and started growing again. That recovery looks set to continue this year. However, the number of air transport movements fell by 1.3%. These figures reflect a recent trend: aircraft are getting bigger and bigger and the average number of passengers per aircraft is also increasing,” says Mr Nijhuis.