SCHIPHOL, 17/06/06 - The airlines that operate at Schiphol have jointly taken the Amsterdam airport to court to fight the fee hikes it has been introducing.

"We have already been trying to convince the airport and the government that Schiphol is charging excessively for landing fees for seven years. We have had enough now," said Frank Allard Friday. He is the secretary-general of the airlines' association, Board of Airline Representatives in the Netherlands (Barin).

Barin has brought a civil action at the district court in Haarlem. The international organisation for civil aviation IATA backs the complaints against the Schiphol levies and has brought a similar case at the district court in The Hague.

Earlier, the transport ministry - which monitors the fee increases - had rejected the aviation sector's complaints several times. "An independent judge now has to look at the question," said Allard. He considers there is a real chance of the court finding in favour of the airlines. "The increases, more than 40 percent in the past five years, will then have to be reviewed afresh and will probably be changed. If necessary, with retrospective effect."