Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport booked net profit of €227m in 2013, an increase of almost 15% on 2012.

The results were largely boosted by lower taxes. Passenger numbers rose 3% to 52.6 million and freight volumes were also up around 3%. However turnover at duty free shops was down 4.8%, the airport said.

Schiphol has now begun a major €1bn expansion plan to strengthen its market position and ease stop-overs for international passengers.