ABSTRACT
When the discussion in the Netherlands about the viability of an offshore airport in the North Sea finally came to an end, the Dutch cabinet decided in 1999 to resume preparations for the privatisation of Amsterdam airport Schiphol. Political considerations in the Netherlands concerning privatisation of Amsterdam airport primarily focused on the argument that public ownership should not be continued if it is not indispensable for safeguarding public interests. This chapter discusses the market delineation of Amsterdam airport services and the related question of airport competition, the controversy between single, 'middle' and dual till, and negotiated access principles. Although it can be contested whether the interest of the 'main port' availability is a public interest, it was identified as such in the preparations for the privatisation of Amsterdam airport. Politicians therefore suspected the danger that Amsterdam airport, after privatisation, would neglect its core business and put big efforts in other more profitable commercial activities.
