Schiphol will set a maximum for the number of departing passengers this summer. In the period from July 7 to July 31, the airport wants to cancel so many flights that more than 13,000 fewer passengers have to queue every day. This measure is intended to prevent travelers from spending hours all summer long to get to their gate.
The airport has just announced this in a press release. The decision was explained in a press conference. According to Schiphol, a maximum of 67,500 travelers per day can depart from Schiphol in July.
Busy since May holiday
To do this, the number of (potential) passengers must be reduced by 13,500 every day. That number is not out of the blue: it is based on the number of security guards available at the airport and the desire to avoid long queues, such as have been the order of the day since the start of the May holiday.
The independent slot coordinator consults with airlines to achieve the desired reduction in the number of passengers. It is not yet known how many flights will be canceled.
Little hindrance for switchers
Schiphol emphasizes that 13,500 passengers will not be affected every day. For example, not all available seats have been sold yet, some of the passengers are rebooked and flights are moved. Unlike departing passengers, transfer passengers are expected to experience little hindrance from the measure.
The crowds at Schiphol can largely be traced back to staff shortages among baggage employees and security guards. Schiphol recently responded to the demand from trade unions FNV and CNV to make working at Schiphol more attractive with better working conditions and higher wages. Benschop responded at the time that those changes will not immediately bear fruit, and expressed the expectation that it will remain very busy this summer.
For the period after July 31, the maximum number of passengers that can depart via Schiphol is determined every two weeks.