Ongoing staffing issues and a lack of available security guards have forced Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport to place a further cap on passenger departures during the northern winter season – and airlines are not happy about it.
While other international airports face similar staffing challenges, Schiphol is a global biggie – it was the world’s third busiest airport by international passenger traffic last year.
With almost 72 million passengers in 2019 (the final year of the pre-pandemic era), Schiphol was the busiest airport in Europe in terms of aircraft movements and the third-busiest airport in Europe by passenger volume.
The airport expects the cap to last until the end of March.
Schiphol Airport said:
“There will be a time towards the end of the year when we will look at whether more might be possible from the end of January. Schiphol has made this choice to provide travellers with a reliable travel experience, and predictability and stability for airlines. At the same time, the airport is hard at work improving capacity at security.”
Hanne Buis, chief operating officer for Royal Schiphol Group, stated:
“Keeping to a maximum number of travellers is vital. We want to ensure the safety of employees and travellers, in addition to providing a more reliable airport process. This obviously affects travellers and airlines, which we of course consider very unfortunate. Together with the security companies and unions, we are working hard on making structural improvements – a daunting task in a very tight labour market. It’s something to be realistic about. That’s why it will only become clear later this year whether more is possible after January.”
Together with unions and security companies, Schiphol is working on what it calls “structural solutions to the staff shortage”. Efforts include better rosters, improved restrooms and better wages for security company workers.
Based on the capacity made available by Schiphol, the independent slot coordinator (ACNL) will consult with all airlines to arrive at the required capacity reduction.
Airlines need longer-term planning and are “not happy” with the restrictions, the airport admitted.
Written by Peter Needham
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