Above: Schiphol’s CFO Els de Groot and EIB Vice-President Pim Van Ballekom
The European Investment Bank and Schiphol Airport have signed a loan agreement to part-fund the planned expansion of the airport.
The first installment of the agreement was for €175m (US$185m), with a second payment of the same amount due at a later date.
Over the next eight years, the airport will build a new terminal and pier that will allow for a growth in capacity of up to 15 million passengers per year. Schiphol will also relocate and renew other parts of the infrastructure, including internal roads and car lots.
Pim van Ballekom, EIB vice president, commented, “Schiphol is a showpiece for the Netherlands and in a time of continuous modernization, further development of the airport is essential.
“The EIB has supported Schiphol in the past, including with the construction of the fifth runway and the new baggage handling system, and we hope to continue to do so in the future.”
The new pier is planned to be completed by the end of 2019, with the terminal hoping to be open for operation in 2023.
“Schiphol is very pleased that the EIB is willing to stimulate the expansion of Schiphol with this financing facility,” added Els de Groot, Schiphol Airport’s CFO. “It is confirmation of the very good relationship that we have built up over the years.
“Thanks to the planned expansion, we will continue to offer the best possible service to our passengers, safeguarding our position as our country’s main port and connecting the Netherlands to the rest of the world.”