Lack of staff: Schiphol calls for flight cancellations

Long queues are once again causing frustration among travelers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The reason is an acute shortage of security personnel. The operator called on the airlines to cancel flights.

The operator of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has called on airlines to cancel flights because there are currently long queues due to a lack of staff. “There is a shortage of security personnel and the number of travelers waiting is increasing,” the company said.

“The terminal staff are doing everything they can to ensure everyone can travel today,” the airport operator said. “But unfortunately there is a possibility that travelers will miss their flights because of long waiting times.” In this case they could contact the airport and be compensated. Travelers should find out about delays and canceled flights in good time.

Airport chaos already in July and August

In Departure Terminal 3 in particular, passengers are jammed up. The airlines are called upon to cancel flights between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Monday. Long queues of travelers could be seen in pictures on social networks, reaching far in front of the airport building. The fire brigade distributed water and sweets to those waiting.

In July and August, there had already been chaotic conditions and long waiting times due to a lack of staff in Amsterdam and other major European airports. Schiphol boss Dick Benschop attributed the problems to the sharp increase in passenger numbers compared to the Corona years 2020 and 2021. They had fallen to just over 20 million from 70 million in 2019, but rose sharply again this year.