News  ·  23 SeptemberSchiphol wins court case: final award of ground handling contracts

The court has dismissed the claims brought against Schiphol’s ground handling tender. As a result, the provisional award to dnata, KLM and Viggo has become final. The transition to the new operating model will proceed according to the existing schedule.

An important step towards future-proof ground handling

With the new ground handling model, we are moving from an open market to a partnership with three selected ground handling companies. This enables us to set clearer requirements for quality, safety, working conditions, service and sustainability. The selected companies achieved the highest scores on the five pre-defined quality criteria: management, organisation and continuous improvement; transition; disruptions and emergency situations; safety; and quality of work.

We respect the decision of the parties involved to have the provisional award reviewed by the court. Now that the court has dismissed the claims, it has been confirmed that the procedure was conducted carefully, the outcome has been formally established, and there is clarity about which ground handling companies will remain active under the new model. dnata, KLM and Viggo have been granted the final award and will receive a concession to operate at Schiphol. Airlines will subsequently decide which of the selected companies they wish to work with.

Transition proceeds according to plan

The transition to the new model is now entering its next phase. The schedule remains unchanged:

  • The selected ground handling companies and airlines will prepare their new partnerships and contractual arrangements.
  • The transition of employees to the new situation will be supported, with job-to-job continuity as a key principle.
  • The new partnerships will commence as planned in March 2027.