Monitor Network Quality and State Guarantees 2009-2017

In 2017, the direct connectivity of Schiphol and the rest of the world experienced stronger growth than that of its most important competitors. As a consequence, Schiphol has the highest level of direct connectivity in September 2017. Schiphol’s indirect connectivity also increased more strongly compared to other airports. Schiphol’s hub connectivity, indicating the quality of the transfer network, has also increased. Three airports, including Frankfurt – the most important competitor in terms of network overlap – show stronger growth. With regards to the state assurances, Schiphol continues to show stronger network development than Paris Charles de Gaulle.

In this monitor study, SEO analyses Schiphol’s network quality vis-à -vis competing airports in Western Europe and the Middle East. The study provides insight into the extent to which Schiphol and its competitors are connected with the rest of the world, distinguishing between direct and indirect connections. In addition, it provides a view of the quality of Schiphol’s hub functions, measured in hub connectivity: to what extent do arriving and departing flights connect? Finally, in view of State assurances, special attention is paid to the developments of the Air France-KLM network at Schiphol and at Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The networks of Schiphol and the most important competing airports in Europe and the Middle East have been analysed with the help of the SEO NetScan connectivity model. This model makes use of input from global aviation schedules data: the Official Airlines Guide (OAG). NetScan’s output provides insight into the different forms of connectivity (direct, indirect and hub) for every airport, at the desired level of detail.