Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is considering implementing a suitcase fee, payable by passengers, to help attract more baggage handlers to the airport.
According to the NL Times, a fee of €2-€3 (R38-R57) would assist baggage-handling companies operating at the airport to recruit more personnel.
Edwin van der Linden, Director of Personnel Affairs at airport service provider Viggo, says baggage companies currently don’t have the necessary funds to make employment terms and conditions attractive to potential staff.
Van der Linden believes the suitcase fee will allow airlines to increase payments to handlers, which, in turn, will enable the baggage companies to improve salaries.
The baggage companies reportedly still require hundreds of employees to meet demand during the busy summer season, and Schiphol CEO, Ruud Sondag, has warned that restrictions may soon be necessary once again if a solution is not found within the next few weeks.
According to Simple Flying, these potential restrictions will include extending the limit on the daily number of passengers allowed to transit through the airport.
