Schiphol begins tender process for three ground handling companies: focus on quality, cooperation and good working conditions

Schiphol begins tender process for three ground handling companies: focus on quality, cooperation and good working conditions

Schiphol is taking an important step towards improving the quality of ground handling and the work done by ground handlers. On 4 December, the tendering procedure will begin for the selection of three ground handling companies who will be responsible for the baggage process and work done around aircraft, such as loading and unloading baggage, placing chocks under aircraft wheels and connecting ground power units. With this tender, the airport aims to improve quality of service and ensure better working conditions for thousands of employees who contribute to safe and efficient operations every day. There are currently six parties carrying out these activities.

Ground handling companies and their employees play a crucial role at Schiphol. They ensure that passengers and baggage enter and leave the aircraft on time and that all work around the aircraft is carried out with care. By outsourcing ground handling, we can intentionally select our partners and organise the collaboration more effectively.

From open market to higher standard
The current open market is characterised by fierce competition and limited control over quality. The introduction of a sector-wide collective labour agreement (CLA) in 2023 was an important step towards improving working conditions. This tender follows the decision by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, on the initiative of Schiphol, to work with a select group of handling companies. They will work at the airport under a concession agreement based on contracts they enter into with the airlines.

Quality requirements
Reducing the number of handling companies offers opportunities for smarter and more efficient organisation. Ground handling companies are being asked to make more joint use of handling equipment, which creates space on the apron and ensures more sustainable use of resources. In addition, we are setting further requirements on the working conditions for employees and the quality of service. Travellers will notice this in the form of shorter waiting times for their baggage on arrival. The award criteria for this tender have been carefully drawn up and consulted with airlines, handlers, stakeholders and the trade union.

Retaining knowledge and experience
The knowledge and experience of these employees is invaluable. Schiphol wants them to keep working at the airport under good working conditions, to enjoy their work and find it rewarding. That is why retaining existing jobs and employment conditions is an important principle. The handling companies represented by the WPBL (Werkgeversvereniging Passagiers- en Bagageafhandeling Luchtvaart), the FNV trade union and Schiphol have jointly signed a covenant in which we have made additional collective labour agreement arrangements for the transition phase.

Transparent and thorough process
The tendering process will be carried out within the framework of European legislation. The tender will be published on 4 December 2025 and completed in the third quarter of 2026. This will be followed by a transition period, so that all new collaborations can start in the first quarter of 2027. The new contracts will have a term of seven years, providing stability and certainty for the longer term. Schiphol thus aims to be and remain an attractive place of work and to guarantee the continuity of airport operations.

More information about the tender can be found here: Schiphol | Regulated ground handling model