Schiphol’s cargo community is hopeful that cargo operations will benefit from low-cost airlines reducing flights to the airport as a result of “significant increases” in airport charges, while a change in slot allocation rules will also benefit freighter airlines.
Cargo group Air Cargo Netherlands (ACN) said that easyJet, Vueling, Lufthansa, Swiss, and ITA had returned approximately 2,200 slots ahead of the 2026 winter season as the airport upped its fees.
ACN said that both bellyhold and freighter operations stand to gain from fewer shorthaul flights.
Firstly, many of the freed-up slots have been taken up by intercontinental flights that carry more cargo than shorthaul flights, with LATAM, Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines all benefiting from additional slots in the upcoming winter season.
“The increase in intercontinental connections is positive for air cargo, as approximately half of the cargo at Schiphol is transported in the bellies of passenger aircraft,” ACN said.
Meanwhile, in the current summer season, freighter operators are already benefiting from shorthaul airlines reducing flights to the airport.
“Airlines operating dedicated freighters have also benefited from the available capacity. In the current Summer 2026 season, these carriers secured over 700 additional slots,” ACN said.
ACN said that currently, a total of 9,703 slots have been allocated to cargo flights for the entire summer season, an increase of 3,402 slots relative to the initial Slot Allocation List.
Meanwhile, the Schiphol air cargo market is also set to benefit from a slot allocation rule change that will be implemented for the winter 2026 season.
The change means that Airport Coordination Netherlands (ACNL) will allocate released slots before the start of the season.
Until now, these slots often only became available when airlines cancelled flights during the season.
This will make it easier for freighter operators to plan their operations.
“This process begins approximately four weeks before the season starts,” ACN said.
“This is a positive development for cargo airlines, which can now obtain ad hoc slots for November and December as early as the beginning of October.
“The ability to allocate ad hoc slots earlier creates greater certainty and predictability, enabling cargo airlines to better serve their networks and customers.”
