ONE of the largest airports in Europe has committed to a huge multi-billion pound investment programme, with several areas earmarked for upgrades. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is one of Europe's main travel hubs, with many connecting routes touching down there. It was named the third best airport in Western Europe at this year's Skytrax World Airport Awards.
On Friday (August 30) its bosses pledged to invest a total of €6bn (£5.05bn) by 2029 in what it labelled the largest investment plan in the airport's history. The new figure is an extension to a previously announced investment of €3bn, which is due to take place from 2024-2027.
This initial project includes upgrades to Pier A , where both new facilities and additional boarding gates are being added. Airport piers are also known as "arms" and are long, narrow buildings where planes can park. When it opens, the new building will be spread over three floors and have a total of eight narrowbody and widebody gates as well as border control facilities and retail outlets.
It is expected that the new facilities and gates will increase the airport’s capacity, while reducing congestion and improving the efficiency of airline operations. The new investment that was announced today includes “major” works at Pier C. Whether or not they will be similar to those being done at Pier A remains to be seen.
There will also be upgrades to the baggage basement, climate-control systems, escalators, aircraft stands and taxiways. Airpo.