Roberta Aguirre
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Europe, accommodating millions of passengers annually and offering flights worldwide. However, like any other airport, it occasionally faces operational challenges, including delays and cancellations. In 2023, the airport reported 5606 incidents, constituting 2.54% of flight operations. Various factors contribute to these disruptions, such as technical issues, scheduling conflicts, worker strikes, and adverse weather conditions. Notably, in 2025, the airport faced an extension of the Polderbaan runway closure due to glare from a nearby solar park, impacting pilot visibility and flight safety. Passengers experiencing delays or cancellations may be entitled to compensation under EU law, which offers refunds, alternative transportation, and basic care services during extended disruptions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Information | March 24, 2025 |
| Reason for Problems | Glare from solar panels at a nearby solar park |
| Runway Affected | Polderbaan |
| Original End Date of Restriction | March 23 |
| New End Date of Restriction | April 6 |
| Passenger Rights in Case of Delays or Cancellations | Passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 or £480 per person in case of delays, cancellations, or denied boarding. |
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Delays and cancellations
Technical problems, scheduling conflicts, worker strikes, and adverse weather conditions are common reasons for flight disruptions. For instance, in 2025, the closure of the Polderbaan runway at Schiphol Airport was extended by two weeks due to glare from solar panels at a nearby solar park, impacting pilot visibility and flight safety.
When it comes to delays and cancellations, passengers have certain rights and options for recourse. Under EU law, passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 (or £480) per person in the event of a delay, cancellation, or overbooking. This applies regardless of ticket price and can be claimed up to six years retrospectively. It's important to note that compensation may not be available in cases of extraordinary circumstances, such as strikes that are beyond the control of the airline.
However, even in such cases, passengers are entitled to basic care and catering services, including meals, refreshments, and accommodation, depending on the delay's duration and flight distance. Additionally, if a flight is cancelled due to an airline staff strike, passengers are entitled to a refund, alternative transportation, on-site catering, and additional compensation.
To claim compensation, passengers can utilize services like AirAdvisor or Flightright, which offer assistance in filing claims and calculating potential entitlement amounts. These services typically operate on a success fee basis, charging a commission only if compensation is received from the airline.
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Runway closure
Schiphol Airport's runway closure has been extended due to concerns about solar panel glare impairing pilots' visibility. The Polderbaan runway was initially scheduled to reopen on March 23, but aviation authorities have extended the closure until April 6. The decision is supported by Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland (LVNL), KLM, easyJet, and Schiphol, who prioritize flight safety.
The issue stems from the recently constructed Groene Energie Corridor solar park near Zwanenburg. Covering 100 hectares, the solar farm's panels reflect intense sunlight, creating a glare that affects pilots' vision. While the panels were designed with an anti-reflective coating, the glare remains a concern. Schiphol Airport had suggested using specialized textured glass to absorb sunlight rather than reflect it, but developers stated that such panels were unavailable during construction.
The extended closure aims to address this issue, with authorities working with the Haarlemmermeer municipality to find a long-term solution. In the meantime, pilots will continue to experience impaired visibility due to the glare, impacting flight operations at Schiphol Airport.
This closure extension highlights the challenges of integrating renewable energy infrastructure with existing transportation systems. It also underscores the importance of careful planning and consideration of potential safety risks when developing projects in close proximity to critical infrastructure, such as airports.
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Strikes
In 2025, the Polderbaan runway at Schiphol Airport was closed for an extended period due to glare from solar panels at a nearby solar park, which impaired pilots' visibility. The closure was initially set to end on March 23 but was extended by two weeks until April 6 to ensure flight safety. This may have also caused strikes and delays.
The solar glare issue arose from intense sunlight reflecting off thousands of solar panels at the recently constructed Groene Energie Corridor near Zwanenburg. Covering approximately 100 hectares, the solar farm was designed with an anti-reflective coating, but the glass still produced a strong glare. Schiphol Airport had recommended using specialized textured glass that absorbs rather than reflects sunlight, but the solar park developers stated that such panels were unavailable when construction took place.
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Passenger rights
While it is unclear whether Schiphol Airport is currently experiencing problems, passengers are granted a number of rights by the European Union to ensure their comfort during travel. These rights include:
Denied Boarding
If you are denied boarding, and you checked in on time, the airline must provide you with further assistance and financial compensation. This applies to any flight from an EU airport or from a non-EU airport to an EU airport if the airline is EU-based. If there are insufficient seats available, the airline must first offer passengers the option to voluntarily give up their seats in exchange for certain benefits, such as reimbursing the ticket cost or offering alternative transport to their final destination.
Cancellations
In the event of flight cancellations, passengers may be entitled to financial compensation. Under EU law, passengers can receive up to £480 in compensation for a delay, cancellation, or overbooking of their flight, regardless of the ticket price. This compensation can be claimed up to six years retrospectively. If your flight is canceled due to a strike, you are entitled to a refund of your ticket price, alternative transportation, on-site catering, and additional compensation.
Delays
Passengers may be entitled to financial compensation in the event of long delays. Additionally, passengers facing delays are entitled to basic care and catering services, including meals and refreshments. If necessary, the airline should also provide accommodation, depending on the duration of the delay and the flight distance.
Baggage
Passengers have certain rights regarding baggage, although the specific details are unclear. It is recommended to refer to the Air Passenger Rights PDF provided by Schiphol Travel International for more information.
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Check-in and security
Online check-in is often the fastest and most convenient option, particularly for those travelling with only hand luggage. Many airlines offer this service, allowing passengers to check in from the comfort of their homes and avoid lengthy queues at the airport. Self-service check-in kiosks and drop-off areas are also available for added convenience. However, it is essential to keep in mind that online check-in and self-service options may not be available for all airlines or in all situations.
For those who need to check in at the airport, it is recommended to refer to your airline for check-in desk opening times, especially if you are travelling with hold baggage. Arriving at the departure hall when the check-in desk opens is advisable to avoid unnecessary waiting. The Schiphol app can be a handy tool to stay updated on your flight details and itinerary, ensuring you have easy access to this information on your mobile device.
Security wait times at Schiphol Airport can also be longer than expected. It is crucial to factor in this additional time to avoid any last-minute rushing or potential delays. The airport's security measures are comprehensive, and passengers are advised to follow all guidelines and regulations to ensure a smooth and efficient security screening process.
In addition to potential delays due to high passenger volume, it is worth noting that Schiphol Airport has faced operational challenges. In 2023, various performance metrics indicated a high level of airline activity with varying degrees of operational challenges. These challenges included flight cancellations and delays, which can impact the overall efficiency of check-in and security processes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Schiphol Airport is currently experiencing problems due to the closure of the Polderbaan runway, which has been extended by two weeks until April 6, 2025, due to glare from solar panels at a nearby solar park, causing visibility issues for pilots.
The closure of the Polderbaan runway is expected to result in flight delays and cancellations at Schiphol Airport.
Under EU law, passengers affected by flight delays, cancellations, or overbookings at Schiphol Airport may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 (£480-£520) per person. This applies regardless of the ticket price and can be claimed up to 3-6 years retrospectively. However, compensation may not be provided in cases of extraordinary circumstances, such as strikes or weather conditions, but passengers may still be entitled to basic care and catering services.
To stay updated on the problems at Schiphol Airport, it is recommended to visit the official website or download the Schiphol app to access real-time information about flight schedules and any potential delays or cancellations.
