KLM flies back to Schiphol from European destinations with empty aircraft | NOW

KLM no longer flies passengers to Schiphol from European destinations. This happens because of the crowds at the airport. The airline’s so-called city hoppers fly back to Schiphol empty.

In any case, the measure will be in effect all Saturday. “We will look further on Sunday,” said a spokesperson. On Saturday there were 42 KLM flights without passengers. 12 flights from European destinations, including from Ibiza, Athens, Paris and Malaga, were able to continue.

The passengers who remain behind at European destinations have to wait until KLM has found an alternative flight for them. They will fly to Schiphol on Sunday at the earliest.

KLM is satisfied with the measure. By not taking transfer passengers with them, in particular, those travelers did not get stranded at Schiphol. According to a spokesperson for the airline, the measure, which came into effect from about 5 p.m., is taking effect. “It helps, it’s calming down at the transfer desks.”

KLM speaks of “unforeseen and acute circumstances that are beyond our control”. Due to unfavorable weather conditions and runway maintenance at Schiphol, many aircraft were unable to land or depart in Amsterdam.

“This means that a large number of KLM flights were delayed or even canceled on Saturday. The number of passengers who were unable to depart from Amsterdam due to these external influences has increased significantly,” said KLM.

Domino effect at Schiphol

Schiphol says that the measure is independent of the crowds by passengers departing from the airport. Due to the unfavorable wind direction and limited runway capacity, delays have occurred and flights have been cancelled. This has a domino effect and causes disruptions, according to a spokesperson.

KLM previously reported that it was canceling up to fifty flights a day this weekend. In doing so, the airline wants to contribute to “a manageable situation at the airport and in its own operation”.

The extra measure is intended to ensure that stranded passengers can still depart from Schiphol as much as possible on Saturday. And also that KLM can operate as many flights as possible on Sundays. KLM states that it “is doing everything it can to offer passengers an alternative flight as soon as possible”.

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