Plans for privatization of Schiphol airport to be scrapped

THE HAGUE – The ongoing controversy over the privatization of Schiphol airport has turned another page now that current Finance Minister Wouter Bos has reversed the decision of his liberal conservative predecessor Gerrit Zalm. In the coalition accord it was agreed to review Zalm’s decision, which had been strenuously opposed by Dutch Labour party PvdA and its Amsterdam politicians. Bos saw few benefits in selling part of the government’s stake in the airport, particularly since Schiphol wants to keep growing. Amsterdam could have vetoed any move to sell shares. The city sees the airport as an economic engine over which it wants to maintain its control.