Schiphol takes stake in Maastricht Aachen Airport
21 / 10 / 2022
From left to right: Robert Carsouw, chief financial officer, RSG; Stephan Satijn, Limburg's regional minister for economy, land management, and education; and Dick Benschop, president director and chief executive (due to step down once a successor takes up the role). Photo: Royal Schiphol Group
Royal Schiphol Group (RSG) is set to acquire a 40% interest in Maastricht Aachen Airport (MAA) for €4.2m.
With this agreement in principle for a strategic partnership, MAA, the second largest cargo airport in the Netherlands, aims to develop sustainable, green operations.
Electric flying will be one of the main priorities. An environmental fund will be created with contributions from governments and companies.
RSG, which owns Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, will also contribute €800,000 to the fund.
In addition, the parties are committing to exchanging knowledge in the areas of real estate and commerce.
The handling of cargo is an important part of the collaboration between MAA and Schiphol, according to RSG. It added the handling of cargo makes an important contribution to the Dutch freight sector and the regional economy of Limburg.
In June, the provincial council of the Province of Limburg decided to keep the airport open, but with changes including the governance structure. One of these changes is that the province should no longer be the sole shareholder of MAA.
Other conditions will be finalised in the coming weeks, after which the proposal will be submitted to the provincial council for approval on December 16.
Robert Carsouw, chief financial officer, RSG, said: “Our contribution to society is to connect the Netherlands with the rest of the world. Regional airports are an important element in this strategy.
“The idea that airports in the Netherlands form a single system, as expressed in the Dutch aviation policy, is very appealing to us. By collaborating intensively and investing in Maastricht Aachen Airport, we can share knowledge and expertise and make optimal use of the scarce capacity available in the Netherlands.”
Jos Roeven, chief executive of MAA, added: “We are very pleased that in Schiphol: we have found the right strategic partner to invest in our ambition to make MAA an innovative and sustainable airport that is well embedded in its region.”
Schiphol Airport chief executive Dick Benschop resigned from the role last month after ongoing disruption at the Dutch hub due to staff shortages.
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