Schiphol is going to set a limit to the number of flights during busy periods. In addition, the airport wants to pay its staff better in order to attract more security and baggage personnel. Schiphol CEO Dick Benschop said this in a conversation with the press. He also apologized to travelers for the chaos and waiting times at the airport.
“The May holiday as we are now experiencing it at Schiphol hurts,” said Benschop. Due to staff shortages and an unexpectedly large number of passengers, the past week at the airport was chaotic. Passengers had to wait for hours or their flights were cancelled. “Not the level of quality you can expect from Schiphol,” said Benschop.
Next week, Schiphol will enter into consultations with the sector for the first time about limiting the number of flights.
The airport had made a schedule seven weeks before the holiday. “It was already tight.” An unexpected strike was added in the first weekend, which immediately led to chaos. “In addition, there were more passengers than predicted and there were fewer security guards, about ten percent, due to flu and corona.”
‘Don’t pass on problems’
These security guards often work for subcontractors. During the corona time, it was quieter at Schiphol and security officers found work in construction, for example. Yet Schiphol cannot pass the problems on to its subcontractors, says an expert.
Schiphol is legally obliged to ensure the proper functioning of basic facilities that are necessary for the proper handling of air traffic, such as security and baggage handling, says aviation lawyer Jochem Croon. “Even if the airport operator outsources that task to someone else, that does not release it from this legal responsibility and liability.”
Last weekend there were long lines at the airport:
–
