Schiphol firmly believes in its own measures to prevent summer chaos. As of today, there is a maximum number of passengers that may depart from the airport. This required airlines to cancel flights and customers saw their vacation plans go up in smoke. The FNV union thinks that Schiphol is counting on its plans and still foresees chaos in the summer.
An FNV poll among Schiphol ground staff shows that 85 percent indicate that there are not enough people to be able to carry out the work in a safe and responsible manner. 42 percent are concerned about the safety of passengers and flights.
Since the beginning of the May holiday, Schiphol has been too busy almost every day. There is not enough staff to allow the large supply of travelers to flow smoothly. Departures are bulging, with security queues stretching far outside the terminal at peak times.
200 extra security guards
Nevertheless, the airport is convinced that the summer can go better than in recent months. Schiphol expects an average of 59,000 departing travelers per day during the holiday. As of today, the limit is set at a maximum of 67,500 travelers daily. In August there is room for 73,000 passengers a day, because 200 extra security guards can be deployed.
The article continues below the video.
Staff warn against summer chaos at Schiphol – NH Nieuws / Doron Sajet
big plume
At Schiphol it was relatively quiet around noon. The tents that protect travelers outside against the heat and rain showers remained empty and the waiting time for the security check rose to about forty minutes. Yet Joost van Doesburg of FNV Schiphol does not think that his poll among the employees is like mustard after a meal.
“We see that the number will increase from this weekend, because then the school holidays start,” says Van Doesburg. “It is now noon and the big peaks are in the morning, it is now doable. And it should remain that way, because then Schiphol and its employees will get a big compliment from us.”
Utopia
The vast majority of Schiphol employees surveyed fear that Schiphol’s optimism is a utopia. Van Doesburg: “If things really get out of hand, the number of flights must be reduced and the number of travelers must decrease, however painful that may be.”