Schiphol will have two hundred extra security personnel at its disposal from Monday, but that does not mean that the crowds are over. The new employees will be arriving in phases and the airport is in the process of recruiting even more security guards.
Schiphol CEO Dick Benschop recently announced that he wanted to recruit five hundred extra security personnel. “That has now partly been successful and the security companies are recruiting new employees,” said a spokesperson.
Schiphol is struggling with a shortage of security officers and baggage handlers. In combination with the increased flow of holidaymakers, this shortage has been causing huge crowds for weeks, sometimes resulting in flight cancellations and delays.
The airport currently handles an average of 59,000 departing passengers per day. For the past three weeks, Schiphol has been able to process a maximum of 67,500 departing passengers daily. As of Monday, there will be 73,000.
According to a spokesperson, the crowds will continue for the time being. “The picture does not differ from the past few weeks, so long queues are not excluded this weekend either.” Schiphol therefore still advises travelers to be present at the airport no more than four hours before departure.
A malfunction at Schiphol last week caused major problems with baggage processing, leaving thousands of suitcases behind at the airport.
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