AMSTERDAM Schiphol defended a recent landing fee increase after longtime IAG airline boss and present day IATA chief Willie Walsh called it the "worst airport in the world," reports Bloomberg.

"The disruption is terrible, performance is dreadful, and at the same time they want to increase charges," said Mr Walsh. "It's absolutely pathetic, completely unacceptable."

Airlines have been at odds with the Netherlands' biggest hub over increased charges, and they have filed complaints to the Dutch authorities after Schiphol raised fees 12 per cent from April 1.

Said Schiphol representative Willemeike Koster: "We understand that this is unfortunate for airlines,"

"However, after years of insufficient investment and too much emphasis on cost control, we need to make a necessary catch-up."