The peak crowds at Eindhoven Airport will probably last until the autumn holidays. Between 20,000 and 25,000 passengers arrive and depart daily. That is what a spokesperson for the airport says, after many hundreds of people stood in line outside this morning.
The queues are caused on the one hand by a shortage of staff at the airport. On the other hand, many passengers report to Eindhoven Airport much earlier than usual. According to a spokesperson, this causes the accumulation of people waiting.
The spokesperson cannot say exactly how big the staff shortage is. He does know that people are being sought in the security, catering and ‘handling’ departments. This ranges from people helping with check-in to staff standing on the platforms.
Up to 25,000 passengers
The airport emphasizes that employees are being trained to fill vacancies. “But that takes time: people have to be certified to work here,” says the spokesperson.
And so Eindhoven Airport is rowing with what the airport has to ‘process’ an average of 20,000 to 25,000 passengers every day. “These are people who arrive and depart. This will remain the case for the coming months, up to and including the autumn break.”
3 hours before the flight
The airport emphasizes that it is not necessary to be at the airport earlier than 3 hours before departure of the flight. For example, baggage check-in counters are often still closed before that time. “We advise people to be present 2.5 to 3 hours before departure. Come within that margin, then you have enough time.” According to a spokesman, people were at the airport 4 to 5 hours before departure on Saturday morning. That caused the long lines. “That’s not handy.”
To prevent people from missing their flight due to early arrivals, employees remove people from the long queues. Since this week there are also tents at Eindhoven Airport. Below passengers can shelter from the sun or rain. There is also a water point and text carts with information. These measures will remain in effect until the autumn holidays.
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