Things are - at last - getting back to normal at Europe's airports. At least, that's the message from the management of Schiphol. L'Amsterdam airport will soon lift the restrictions that still cap its traffic. With the start of the summer season on 26 MarchThe Dutch hub will no longer set a limit on the total number of departing passengers. This ceiling had been put in place due to the chaotic management of the return of passengers to European skies after months of paralysis. Staff shortages had made the passenger journey an obstacle course, while theSchiphol airport has until now set an example in Europe.…
Amsterdam Schiphol's management are adamant that the problem has now been (partly) resolved. And unsurprisingly, this has been made possible by a massive recruitment campaign, as well as improved working conditions. Launched in November 2022, the campaign has now filled only half of the target set, i.e. 850 additional security guards.
So Schiphol's management remains cautious...". I am delighted for our passengers, our employees and our airlines for the progress we have collectively made. "testifies Ruud Sondag, CEO of Schiphol. " Things are looking good as we approach the May holidays. From the start of the 2023 season at the end of March, we will be stepping up our efforts in a responsible and progressive manner, in the interests of travellers, employees and airlines. We will take no risks. We want to once again offer the quality and certainty that everyone can expect from Schiphol. ".
The lifting of the restrictions, once envisaged for early 2023, will have to wait until the summer season. This is because of the " final bottlenecks "This is a problem that is still being identified, particularly between 6am and 11am. This is a problem that the discussions under way and the collective efforts of all those involved will have to make bearable for passengers. " At certain times during the new season starting at the end of March, Schiphol and its partners are finding that there are more passengers during the morning peak (06:00-11:00) than the Schiphol system can handle. To solve this problem in a timely and proactive manner, Schiphol is organising follow-up discussions with the airlines, the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and the handling companies (the Schiphol team) over the coming weeks. The joint ambition is to organise these peak times in such a way that passengers are not faced with long queues, even at this time. "says Amsterdam Schiphol management.
