Latest news with #Schiphol
Travel Daily News
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
IATA criticizes Schiphol 's 33% charge hike
Aviation supports more than 400,000 jobs and 3.6% of Dutch GDP. The airport is the essential artery for airlines to bring business, goods, and tourism to and from the Netherlands. It is therefore important that the ariport's tariffs remain reasonable and Schiphol remains competitive. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the Netherlands' primary international gateway and a key hub for the SkyTeam airline alliance. Located approximately 9 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, North Holland, Schiphol ranks among the world's busiest airports. In 2023, it was the third busiest globally for international passenger traffic. In 2019, the airport handled nearly 72 million passengers, making it the third-busiest in Europe by passenger numbers and the busiest in terms of aircraft movements. Spanning 6,887 acres (2,787 hectares), the airport operates under a single-terminal design, segmented into three main departure halls to streamline passenger flow. Schiphol serves as the main hub for KLM and its regional partner KLM Cityhopper, and is also a base for Martinair. Additionally, it is a key operating base for Corendon Dutch Airlines, easyJet, Transavia, TUI fly Netherlands, and Vueling.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Call of Duty owner Activision Blizzard records €2.5m profit in Ireland
Games company Activision Blizzard, which owns the Overwatch, Candy Crush and Call of Duty brands, has recorded pretax profit of €2.5 million in Ireland. The video games giant saw a considerable spike in profits during an extended financial period, despite turnover remaining largely similar on a monthly basis, in new accounts filed with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The company reported figures for an 18-month period, encompassing January 2023 to June 2024, following Microsoft's acquisition of it for $68.7 billion (€60.4 billion) in 2023. Activision Blizzard Ireland Limited, which has an office in Dublin, saw turnover increase to €35.4 million from €21.7 million in the prior financial period, up 63 per cent. READ MORE Despite the longer financial period reported, administrative expenses only saw a slight increase of 24 per cent – from €3.4 million to €4.2 million. As a result, profits rose by nearly 220 per cent from €776,805 at December 21st, 2022, to €2,479,763 as of June 30th, 2024. Following the acquisition, the company's ultimate parent company is now the Microsoft Corporation, but is directly controlled by Schiphol-based Activision Blizzard International BV. In January 2024, Microsoft cut 1,900 jobs from its video games divisions including a number of staff in Ireland. However, the average monthly employees rose during the period from 203 at year end 2022 to 215 in its most recent period. Employees' wages and salaries during the period nearly doubled from €8.17 million to €15.87 million by last year, a 94 per cent rise. Activision Blizzard issued share-based payments to staff of €3.4 million during the period. Activision Blizzard Ireland, based at Eastpoint Business Park in Dublin, is part of the company that publishes the first-person shooter series Call of Duty; team-based action series Overwatch; the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater series; as well as trading card game Hearthstone.
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Multibillion-pound Heathrow investment unveiled ahead of new runway plan
Heathrow has announced a multibillion-pound investment as it prepares its proposal for a new runway, saying 'the UK risks losing its status as a global trading hub' if the airport does not grow. In a speech on Wednesday, chief executive Thomas Woldbye unveiled funding for upgrades and expansion, such as boosting the capacity of Terminals 2 and 5, reconfiguring the layout of the airfield, and boosting bus and coach connections. It comes after Chancellor Rachel Reeves used a speech on growth last month to give her support for a third runway at Heathrow. We will be launching the largest infrastructure investment programme in the history of Heathrow Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow chief executive Speaking at the British Steel plant in Scunthorpe, Mr Woldbye said: 'Just two weeks ago, the Chancellor recognised the critical role that Heathrow plays as the UK's gateway to growth. 'Her speech wasn't just a clear commitment to get Britain building, but a rallying call to industry to play its part in the growth mission, which will benefit the whole country. 'Heathrow is proud to answer that call.' He said: 'Today, I can confirm that we will be launching the largest infrastructure investment programme in the history of Heathrow. 'We will be investing billions of pounds to transform Heathrow's current infrastructure, starting with projects within our existing boundary and working towards a third runway.' Without capacity growth at Heathrow, the UK risks losing its status as a global trading hub Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow chief executive Mr Woldbye said: 'This multibillion-pound investment, the largest private investment ever made in the UK's transport network, will provide the launch pad for a third runway. 'The Chancellor explained in her Oxford speech why the third runway is critical for our country's future economic success. 'And across the world, the UK's competitors recognise the importance of global connectivity and have ensured their aviation capacity meets the requirements of a connected, globalised world. 'Schiphol enjoys six runways, Frankfurt and Paris four each. 'Without capacity growth at Heathrow, the UK risks losing its status as a global trading hub.' This investment is not a choice between expansion at an airport in London or taxpayer-funded projects in other parts of the country Thomas Woldbye, Heathrow chief executive The Government said the investment programme is expected to secure thousands of steel jobs across the country by driving a significant increase in demand for UK-made steel. Mr Woldbye said plans for a third runway will be submitted to the Government this summer, when he said he will have 'more to say on the exact cost'. He said: 'And following speculation I've heard in recent weeks, I want to reiterate that the delivery of the UK's gateway to growth will be 100% privately funded. 'No taxpayer money will be used to pay for the terminal buildings, the new runway, the road and rail upgrades, or any other changes necessary to meet the requirements set out in the Airports National Policy Statement. 'This investment is not a choice between expansion at an airport in London or taxpayer-funded projects in other parts of the country. 'It is a choice between private investment here in the UK or private investment in other countries, between increasing this country's international connectivity or investors putting their money into building new infrastructure in France or Italy, between jobs here in the UK or jobs elsewhere in Europe.' Mr Woldbye insisted the project can be carried out 'responsibly' because of 'strict environmental safeguards'. He said: 'I want to assure you that we are committed to listening and working with our local communities to provide them with the certainty they deserve, ending years of doubt.' Mr Woldbye spoke at British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, which is the only facility making primary steel in the UK, along with industry minister Sarah Jones. He said Heathrow is signing the UK Steel Charter, which aims to maximise supply chain opportunities for UK steel producers. Terminal 5 – which opened in 2008 – required 80,000 tonnes of steel. The Department for Business and Trade said it welcomed a 'major vote of confidence from Heathrow in its growth mission after backing a third runway'. Ms Jones said: 'This investment is the latest in a long line of wins which our plan for change has helped deliver, and not only secures thousands of jobs but marks a major vote of confidence in our homegrown steel sector and this Government's industrial strategy. 'Driving demand for UK-made steel is a crucial part of our upcoming steel strategy, and by signing the Steel Charter Heathrow will give a huge boost to steelmaking communities across the UK and help us kickstart economic growth.' UK Steel director general Gareth Stace said: 'Heathrow signing the UK Steel Charter is a major vote of confidence in UK steelmaking and British businesses full stop.' Also speaking at the event in Scunthorpe, Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss said: 'One of the key issues that's crucial to the success of Heathrow expansion is that the benefits are felt across the rest of the UK. 'The UK has to benefit, and the jobs created in the supply chain across the rest of the country. 'We're going to win the hearts and minds of the UK public, that's the message we have to get across. Because, if I'm honest, I don't think that message is yet out there that this is not just about London, this is about the UK and growth for the UK.' Mr Rickhuss said unions supported the investments but said the 'elephant in the room' was the uncertainty over the future of the Scunthorpe steel plant and the future of the steel industry in the UK as it faces a range of challenges. Paul McGuinness, chairman of the No 3rd Runway Coalition group, said: 'How bizarre for the Government to suggest supporting a project that hasn't even submitted a planning application, and can't be approved until well beyond this parliament's lifetime, will kickstart economic growth. 'As for any construction or purchase of steel, that would be at least over half a decade away, and the project may yet prove uninvestable as several of Heathrow's airline customers have averred. 'The costs of demolishing villages, diverting roads and rivers and tunnelling over the M25's busiest junction, to increase Heathrow's size by an area that is larger than Birmingham International Airport, promises to be inordinately expensive. 'There seems something Orwellian about this announcement, and this is only reaffirmed by its decision to cite a report commissioned by Heathrow itself, as evidence of the project's possible benefits – rather than the Government's own Treasury's assessment which concluded that once the 'disbenefits' had been taken into account, the project's maximum economic benefit to the UK would be somewhere between £3.3 billion and minus £2.2 billion over 60 years.' On Tuesday, the airport said it recorded the busiest January in its history. More than 6.3 million passengers travelled through its four terminals last month. That is up more than 5% from six million in January 2024. The airport said transatlantic travel was a 'key contributor' to the growth. More than 1.2 million passengers travelled between Heathrow and the US in January, up 8% compared with a year earlier.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
OPINION - Heathrow's third runway is what Britain needs — and should make every Londoner happy
In today's speech supporting infrastructure investment, Rachel Reeves has indicated that that growth is the word of the day — and she isn't wrong. Look at productivity, for example. The UK's productivity per worker has barely risen above 2007 levels. This has crushed our salaries, innovation, and most importantly, our standard of living — and it is fundamentally connected to what the UK has permitted to be (or not to be) built. If the UK cannot supply the necessary roads, energy, or runway for bringing in more investment, then productivity slumps. Heathrow's expansion is the metaphor for this. Heathrow is one of the most busiest airports in the world, despite its antiquated infrastructure — punching above its weight with only two runways, against Atlanta's 5, Schiphol's 6, and Dubai's proposed 5. Plans to expand the airport have been in the works since 2012 under the Airports Commission, but have until now, been taboo for parties Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue. Local NIMBYs should also be glad of this expansion During Theresa May's Premiership, a third runway received the green light, only for it to be crushed against the rocks of bureaucratic and political inertia. But the case for expansion is clear — demand for travelling to Britain has surpassed supply and now is finally the time to act. Opponents come from a loosely knit group of local NIMBYs, who don't want more planes in the skies above their suburban gardens and anti-prosperity environmentalists who query the ability of the government to meet Net Zero (despite clear indications that it will not impact Carbon Budgets or overall climate goals). De-growther environmentalists should not be worried. Heathrow's expansion would permit a significant signal of confidence in Britain's burgeoning Sustainable Aviation Fuel industry, with Heathrow likely insisting that cleaner, more modern aircraft only be permitted to enter the airport as part of its deal with the government. Local NIMBYs should also be glad of this expansion. Whilst there may be some disruption in the short term as the runway is built, at least 15% of people under current flight paths will be relieved of the noise of over-flying aircraft as routes are diverted. An additional runway may also decrease the noisy and polluting 'holding stacks' of aircraft looking to land, but do not have the runway space to do so. Meanwhile, the local economy benefits will be multifaceted, whether through higher local employment and investment in local infrastructure to support the new airport. As with any project of this scheme, locals always benefit in the medium to long run — they will be more than compensated for their short-term inconveniences. Brits should rejoice at this announcement of support. Heathrow's expansion could see the ticket prices for getting away fall by up to 20%, whilst highstreets and hospitality venues, in desperate need of support, would experience a surge of tourists and foreign visitors. Heathrow is the first serious growth test for the government Heathrow, as well as proposed capacity-increases for Luton and Gatwick, is the first serious growth test for the government. The City and international investors will be looking to see how enthusiastically the government supports and executes this critical project. Whitehall should look to make a clear differentiation between the disaster of HS2's execution, and a rapid, effective implementation of infrastructure investment. Should the Chancellor pass this test, the UK can expect significant gains in investment, a rallying of confidence in UK bonds, and relief from the pro-growth voices in her party, and around the UK. Heathrow is vitally important for the UK — those of us on the free-market right are wishing her all the best as she looks to get Britain going again. The proof, as is always, is in the tarmac-covered pudding. Maxwell Marlow is director of research at the Adam Smith Institute
