Schiphol Launches Tenders for €10 Billion Infrastructure Program

Royal Schiphol Group has initiated a procurement process for five major construction and maintenance tenders, marking a structural shift in how Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) will manage its infrastructure through the next decade.

Announced in a press release on September 25, 2026, the tenders are a foundational element of the Airports €10 billion investment program running through 2035. The new nine-year framework agreements will take effect in 2028 when current contracts expire, transferring greater direct control over asset planning and infrastructure management back to the airport operator.

Scope of the infrastructure overhaul

The €10 billion master plan, initially outlined in late 2025, targets overdue maintenance and funds major capital projects, including the construction of a new Terminal South and extensive renovations to existing piers. The five newly announced tenders divide the required work across terminals, technical installations, aprons, and operational buildings.

Specific assets covered under the upcoming Contracts include concrete aprons, passenger bridges, gate-based power, pre-conditioned air supply systems, and charging infrastructure. The scope also extends to technical rooms, retail units, climate control systems, and airport fire stations.

Royal Schiphol Group Chief Infrastructure Officer Bart Smolders described the initiative as the largest renewal and maintenance program in the airport’s history. The stated objective is to elevate the facility back to the standard of Europe’s leading aviation hubs.

Shifting the contracting model

The transition to new framework agreements in 2028 represents a change in Schiphol’s operational Strategy. Rather than fully outsourcing asset management, the airport intends to combine market expertise with increased internal direction and control.

Smolders noted that achieving the €10 billion renewal requires strong partners, with the tenders laying the foundation for long-term collaboration under this revised model. The nine-year duration of the framework agreements is designed to provide stability for these Partnerships while ensuring the airport maintains oversight of its critical infrastructure.

AirPro News analysis

We view this procurement strategy as part of a broader consolidation effort by Royal Schiphol Group to regain operational authority over its critical services. This mirrors recent moves on the ramp; in June 2026, the airport reduced its authorized ground handling companies from six to three following a public tender process. While that specific reduction faces legal challenges from outgoing providers, the overarching strategy is clear. By bringing asset planning and infrastructure management closer to the center, Schiphol is attempting to eliminate the fragmentation that can delay major modernization projects and complicate daily operations.

Sources: Royal Schiphol Group