The Netherlands is the largest export country of cut
flowers in the world. Air cargo transport of flowers
amounts to 25 percent of the total annual tonnage of
goods that go through Schiphol Airport. However, due to
uncertainty of the future development in international
trade, as well as the increasing competition from other
hub airports in Europe and new developments in the
maritime transport sector, forecasts point to a less rosy
picture for the Schiphol airport and Netherlands.
To maintain and improve the international competitive
position of Schiphol airport as a 'preferred hub' for
flowers, it is important to keep up with developments in
the international markets, changes in the international
value chain of flowers and to strengthen the competitive
position of Schiphol in relation to competing airports
(Brussels, Liège, Frankfurt and Paris).
In this paper, we develop a conceptual framework that
assesses the competitiveness of Schiphol airport
compared to its European competitors, based on a model that takes into consideration transport and logistics costs, as well as other variables like quality of services and local and business environment. The results show that Schiphol can maintain it competitive advantage due to competitive indicators as trade costs, hub position in international air-networks, quality of handling goods, and the existence of high-quality airport infrastructure and a unique business environment, which attract international business.
However, the results of the flower trade analysis show
that Liège airport has become a direct competitor of
Schiphol, as this airport scores better than Schiphol for
trade in flowers above 1,000 kg. Liège airport scores
equally to Schiphol in terms of monetary, transport costs
and quality of services.