Schiphol upbeat as passenger traffic holds steady

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Passenger figures at Amsterdam Schiphol airport in 2001 remained steady compared to 2000, at 39.5m compared to 39.6m (a drop of 0.2%), according to the group's latest traffic results. Schiphol said it was the only major European airport that hardly saw a decline in passenger numbers.

Just as other airports, Schiphol did suffer from the after-effects of the attacks in the US on September 11. The 4% growth in passenger numbers before that date was cancelled out in the following months.

After September 11, the Schiphol Group Board of Management said it decided to put a number of major investments on hold. Nevertheless, the airport invested a record sum of over Eur400m ($342m)  in expansion, up from Eur290m ( $248m) in 2000. In 2002, Schiphol Group said will continue to invest in the construction of its fifth runway and expansion of the South Departure Lounge and in new baggage facilities.