On February 1, 1950 Frans Kappé founds hairdressing salon F.A.J. Kappé. At that time Schiphol-Oost consisted of one building only: the Europe Hall. In the toilets passengers get a haircut for 50 cents. In 1951 Cees Kappé starts working as a men's hairdresser and on December 1 they start selling perfumes in the Europe Hall, still at regular prices back then. Friend of the family Bas Parson becomes the bookkeeper in 1958 and co-director a year later.

The sale of duty-free items is permitted within Europe. In 1963 the construction of the new Schiphol starts, and it is officially opened on April 28, 1967. Saying goodbye to the Europe Hall and Schiphol-Oost is both festive and emotional. Frans Kappé decides to separate the hairdressing salon, where cosmetics are still sold, from the perfumery with duty-free sales.

The variety is large in the 70s and the growth continues. In 1971 the space of the terminal is more than doubled and in 1973, the year of the oil crisis, Frans Kappé dies. 1975 is a special year: Kappé celebrates its 25th anniversary, Jacques Parson starts working at Kappé part-time, in addition to his studies in economics. The shopping centre is expanded and Schiphol Airport becomes accessible by train.

Kappé keeps on growing. In 1983 a stand-alone cosmetics shop opens, a revolutionary idea for that time. Bas Parson resigns as director in July 1987 and Jacques Parson takes over. In that same year a big move takes place, when Kappé relocates its warehouse and office from Schiphol to De Hoek. In 1988 the Zuidhal at Schiphol is reopened after a thorough renovation.

The 90s have a difficult start when the Gulf War paralyses the whole world and a lot of air traffic. Fortunately this did not last long. In May 1993 the new West terminal is opened, and the number of stores grow from 3 to 7, including a separate sunglasses store. Schiphol Plaza is opened 2 years later. After the unification of Europe, duty-free sales are abolished on 1 July 1999, but Kappé moves forward…

The aftermath of the September 11 attacks is felt worldwide and after the introduction of the euro, life seems to be a lot more expensive: an economic crisis is imminent. In 2001 Perfumes & Colors is opened at Schiphol Plaza, and in 2002 the number of passengers exceeds the magical 40 million mark. In 2003 with the opening of the new landing strip the Polderbaan, Schiphol can handle even more flights!

With 4 luxury perfumeries, 3 sunglasses shops, 2 drugstores and the shops on the piers, Kappé is a fantastic company that is here to stay. The two wholesale companies, Kappé Military and Travel Market Services are doing good business. Schiphol is planning another expansion: the construction of the new A-terminal starts in 2019 and the first passengers are expected in a few years time.

The start of the decade is a tough one, with the corona pandemic in 2020. However Kappé survives and comes out of the crisis stronger than ever. Kappé grows again both in turnover and in staff numbers. The focus becomes airside activities only. After 37 Jacques Parson says goodbye to the company he has lead successfully and Schiphol Group takes over Kappé.