Competitiveness of Schiphol Airport as European HUB in the Cut Flower Supply-chain
The Netherlands is the largest export country of cutflowers in the world. Air cargo transport of flowersamounts to 25 percent of the total annual tonnage ofgoods that go through Schiphol Airport. However, due touncertainty of the future development in internationaltrade, as well as the increasing competition from otherhub airports in Europe and new developments in themaritime transport sector, forecasts point to a less rosypicture for the Schiphol airport and Netherlands.To maintain and improve the international competitiveposition of Schiphol airport as a 'preferred hub' forflowers, it is important to keep up with developments inthe international markets, changes in the internationalvalue chain of flowers and to strengthen the competitiveposition of Schiphol in relation to competing airports(Brussels, Liège, Frankfurt and Paris).In this paper, we develop a conceptual framework thatassesses the competitiveness of Schiphol airportcompared 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 showthat Liège airport has become a direct competitor ofSchiphol, as this airport scores better than Schiphol fortrade in flowers above 1,000 kg. Liège airport scoresequally to Schiphol in terms of monetary, transport costsand quality of services.
