Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

29 Sep, 2013

Schiphol Airport to relieve traveller hassles by ending security checks at individual gates

=========

Brussels, 27 Sept 2013 (Europa media release) –  The European Investment Bank (EIB), Europe’s long-term lending institution has agreed to provide a EUR 200 million loan to Schiphol Group to finance significant transformation of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. This will improve passenger experience at the airport through construction of a central security screening facility, ending the need for individual security checks at each gate in the entire Terminal.

The loan agreement was signed at Schiphol Airport by Els de Groot, Executive Vice President and CFO of Schiphol Group and EIB Vice President responsible for the Netherlands Pim van Ballekom.

Els de Groot, Chief Financial Officer of Schiphol Group said, “We welcome the EIB’s continued support for our airport investments, following successful funding by the EIB in the last decade of other important Schiphol projects including the fifth runway and the 70 MB baggage system programme. To remain Europe’s preferred airport we will invest an additional EUR 500 million in the coming years. An important part of this is directly related to creation of a central security facility for the entire terminal. Gate security checks for flights to non-Schengen destinations will disappear and be replaced by five central security filters. This will both improve passenger comfort and significantly enhance the efficiency of the passenger handling process for both the airport and airlines”.

“As Europe’s fourth largest airport Schiphol is a crucial passenger gateway and transport link. The EIB is pleased to support the airport’s long-term investment programme essential for compliance with future international security standards, improving the experience and comfort of passengers, enhancing airport efficiency, and improving punctuality. This transformation will create hundreds of construction jobs and help make traveling through Schiphol easier.” said EIB Vice President Pim van Ballekom.

Bertholt Leeftink, Director General for Enterprise and Innovation of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs attending the signing said “The EIB is a highly respected institution in the global financial sector, with the highest credit rating and excellent expertise. I am therefore pleased that they have again chosen to invest in the Netherlands, with this loan to world class hub Schiphol.”

The Schiphol airport capital investment programme supported by the 20 year EIB loan will allow design and construction of a central security area for non-Schengen passengers. This will separate arriving passengers from departing passengers, remove security screening at gates and include a new mezzanine floor above check-in for security checks. The scheme will redevelop the terminal building to improve passenger facilities and allow connecting passengers to be checked more efficiently and is expected to significantly improve the punctuality of flights.

Project preparation started in 2012 to ensure minimal disruption of airport users during the construction phase and building works are expected to be completed by mid-2015. The EIB loan will be disbursed to reflect progress of the project.

Since 2007 the EIB has provided EUR 77 billion for transport investment across Europe and beyond, including supporting airport investment in Frankfurt, Helsinki, Dublin, Milan and Lyon and Tanzania.

Over the last 5 years the EIB has provided nearly EUR 8 billion for long-term investment projects in the Netherlands, including support for the Maasvlaakte, transformation of the Vrije Universiteit campus and widening the A12 between Lunetten and Veenendaal.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.