Schiphol Ground Handling tender

All tenders submitted for the contract will be evaluated on the basis of pre-defined evaluation criteria:

• Management, organisation and continuous improvement 
  The team’s knowledge and experience, how the organisation is structured, and how they continue to improve their services and measure and report on performance.
  
• Transition 
  How smoothly and without disruption the transition to the new situation proceeds.
  
• Disruptions and emergencies 
  How the transition to the new situation proceeds smoothly and without disruption.
  
• Safety 
  A focus on working safely and a strong safety culture.
  
• Quality of work 
  A focus on good working conditions, a healthy working culture, and sufficient and well-trained staff.
  

Even though we are going to tender and the number of handling companies will be reduced to three, the amount of work will remain the same. We still really need everyone involved in the operation. This is why the starting point of Aviapartner, dnata, Menzies, Swissport, Viggo (united in the WPBL), the FNV trade union and Schiphol is that employees do not have to worry about job security or their terms of employment. KLM has agreements within its own organisation. For a limited number of roles, the situation may be different: in such cases, we will carefully assess on a case-by-case basis what is appropriate. 

The tender process will affect work in ground handling, and therefore you as an employee too. On 30 June, it will be announced which three parties have been provisionally awarded the contract. Several scenarios are possible:

1. Your employer is provisionally awarded the contract
   Good news: you will continue to work for your current employer, under the same terms and conditions. Your contract will continue as it is. Your duties will remain essentially the same. However, there may be some changes, such as the arrival of additional colleagues from another ground handling company, adjustments to working conditions, or a change in working methods due to the handling of a new airline.
   
2. Your employer has not been awarded a (provisional) contract
   This may lead to disappointment and questions. Earlier this year, the WPBL and the FNV reached additional agreements for staff in passenger and ground handling. For KLM, agreements apply within the organisation itself.
   

Agreements have been made regarding the redeployment of staff at ground handling companies that do not receive a (provisional) contract award. The essence of these agreements is:

• Job security
  A shared mobility pool is used. This ensures that you can move from a ‘losing’ team to a ‘winning’ team. Your preferences and expertise are the starting point: you won’t simply be assigned to just any role
  
• Retention of employment terms and conditions
  When you transfer, you will retain as much as possible: salary, working hours, contract type, length of service and other collective agreement provisions. There are also specific arrangements regarding annual leave, shift work allowance and income protection in the event of changes to your timetable.
  
• Safety net arrangements
  Appropriate safety net arrangements have been put in place for employees who do not receive an offer or who turn down several offers.
  If you do not receive an offer from an employer or no longer receive offers after a refusal, you will be eligible for the outplacement programme. You will then receive support in finding work outside the ground handling sector. The first step will be to look for other work at Schiphol. Further information about the outplacement programme will follow later.
  

If you do not wish to work for a winning party, you will not be placed in the mobility pool and will not be entitled to outplacement support. Would you like guidance in finding a new job within the aviation sector? If so, you are always welcome to contact the career guidance centre.

The ground handling tendering process will take place in three main phases. The planned schedule is as follows: 

• Quarter 4 2025 to Quarter 2 2026 
  Phase 1: Tendering
  
  • 4 December 2025: Start tender
  • 5 March 2026: Additional collective agreement provisions between WPBL and FNV
  • 24 March 2026: Start assessments of tender June – Third quarter of 2026
• Quarter 3 2026
  Phase 2: Awarding
  
  • 30 June 2026: Announcement of provisional award
  • 21 July 2026: Award becomes final unless legal proceedings are initiated
• Quarter 4 2026 – Quarter 1 2027 
  Phase 3: Transition and start
  
  • Before 1 October 2026: Your employer will register you in the mobility pool. Before doing so, your employer will ask you to check the details. Please ensure everything is correct, as this forms the basis for your nomination.
  • From 1 October 2026: You indicate your preference for a new ground handler or airline in the mobility pool. Before the end of October 2026: Schiphol announces the final award.
  • Before 28 December 2026: The airline will sign a contract with the new ground handling provider. They will determine which staff and resources are required.
  • 8 February – 8 March 2027: You will receive up to three offers from employers. For each offer, you choose: accept or decline. If you accept, you will receive a new contract with your current terms and conditions of employment retained as far as possible, and you will begin your onboarding.
  • 14 February – 1 March 2027: Start of onboarding and training with the new ground handling provider.
  • 28 March 2027: You will officially start with your new employer. From that point onwards, you will be working under the terms of your new contract. Further details regarding the specific onboarding phase will follow later.

All dates are subject to change.

We will keep you as well informed as possible through various channels. If you have any questions, there are several places you can turn to.

Your employer: ask your current employer any questions you may have about your situation

Visit the information point at Schiphol Plaza, opposite the entrance to the Hema at Arrivals 3/4. Schiphol and FNV will help you find answers to your questions.

• Tuesday 30 June between 14:00 and 16:00
• Wednesday 31 June to Friday 3 July between 09:30 and 16:00