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Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, also known as Schiphol Airport, is the main international airport of the Netherlands. Located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, it is one of the busiest airports in Europe, serving over 70 million passengers annually. The airport is built as a single large terminal, split into three departure halls, with six runways and plans to expand further. Schiphol offers a range of amenities, including lounges, sleeping pods, rest areas, duty-free shopping, and food and beverage options. It also features a Rijksmuseum annex, a library, and a large rooftop viewing area.
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What You'll Learn
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's history
Amsterdam's airport is called Schiphol. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland.
History
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was established during World War I in 1916 when staff from the Dutch Ministry of War acquired a piece of land in the Haarlemmermeer area, located about 30 kilometres southeast of Amsterdam, to be used as a military airfield. The land was purchased from a farmer for 55,290 guilders, which is equivalent to about half a million euros today. Initially, the airfield comprised a few barracks and a field serving as a platform and runway.
After the war ended in 1918, the airfield remained a military base for another five years, but it was also used to carry goods, mail, and people. In 1919, KLM was founded and operated its first scheduled service from Amsterdam to London and back a year later. In December 1920, civil aircraft were allowed to use the airfield, and at this time, it was often called Schiphol-les-bains. During the interwar period, the airport grew, with the number of runways increasing to four by 1940.
During World War II, the airport was considered a strategic target and suffered significant damage from bombings. When the Netherlands surrendered to Germany, the invading forces quickly rebuilt and renamed the airport Fliegerhorst 561. However, it soon became a target for the Allied forces, leading to more bombings.
In the post-war years, the airport underwent extensive expansion, including the construction of the first passenger building in time for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games. The airport's manager, Jan Dellaert, presented ambitious expansion plans in the following decades, including a new traffic tower, a central terminal building, and six to ten runways. Today, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol boasts six runways, with one primarily serving general aviation aircraft.
The airport has continued to expand and develop its infrastructure over the years, including the addition of new terminals, piers, and control towers to accommodate increasing air traffic. Schiphol has consistently ranked among Europe's busiest airports by total passenger traffic and is a major hub for intercontinental airlines and the SkyTeam airline alliance.
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The origin of the name 'Schiphol'
Amsterdam's airport is called Schiphol. The origin of the name Schiphol has been a mystery to many, and there are several theories as to how the name came about.
One theory is that the name is derived from the words "schip hol", which means "ship hole" in English. This is a reference to the many ships that were supposedly lost in the lake that previously occupied the area. The lake was known for its treacherous conditions, with violent storms claiming many ships. This theory suggests that Schiphol translates to "ship grave" or "ships hell", indicating that it was a place where ships would sink to the bottom of the lake.
Another possible explanation for the name Schiphol is the Dutch word "scheepshaal", which refers to a ditch or small canal used to tow ships from one lake to another. This theory is supported by the fact that the area was once a lake that was reclaimed in 1852.
A third theory combines the Gothic words "skip" (meaning wood or timber) and "holl" (meaning low-lying land). This theory suggests that Schiphol was a marshy area where people gathered wood. This is supported by old documents from around 1450 that refer to Schiphol as a stretch of land in the Aalsmeer region, located south of Amstelveen.
The name Schiphol was also borne by a fortification, Fort Schiphol, built in the mid-1800s as part of the Stelling van Amsterdam defence works. The fort was constructed on the stretch of land mentioned in the previous theory. On 16 September 1916, Schiphol opened as a military airbase, with a few barracks and a field serving as platforms and runways. Civil aircraft began using the facility in December 1920, and it has since become one of Europe's largest aviation hubs.
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Schiphol's ranking among European airports
Amsterdam's airport is called Schiphol. It is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is one of the major hubs for the SkyTeam airline alliance. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland.
Schiphol is ranked as the third-busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, handling more than 70 million passengers annually. It is also the busiest airport in Europe in terms of aircraft movements. Schiphol is also the fourth busiest airport in Europe in terms of annual cargo tonnage, with 1.74 million.
In 2023, Schiphol was ranked as the world's third busiest airport by international passenger traffic. The airport has consistently appeared in the top five busiest airports in Europe, serving almost 50 million passengers per year.
In terms of facilities, Schiphol offers a range of amenities, including lounges, sleeping pods, designated rest areas, and duty-free shopping. The airport also houses a Rijksmuseum annex, offering a small overview of classical and contemporary art. The Schiphol Airport Library provides passengers with access to books, e-books, and music by Dutch authors and composers. Additionally, the airport features a large rooftop viewing area called the Panoramaterras, which is accessible to the public from the airport's landside.
Schiphol has retained its ACI passenger ranking despite controversies regarding limits on flight numbers. The airport has focused on streamlining its operations and enhancing its commercial offerings, partnering with several airlines and acquiring a stake in Maastricht Aachen Airport.
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Schiphol's facilities and services
Amsterdam's airport is called Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). Schiphol is one of the best-equipped airports in Europe, with a wide range of facilities and services.
Transit and Navigation
Schiphol Airport is built on the single-terminal concept, with one large terminal split into three departure halls. The airport is easily accessible by bus, with many services calling or terminating at the bus station located in front of the terminal building. It can also be reached by car via the A4 and A9 motorways, and by bicycle via dedicated bicycle paths.
Relaxation Zones
The airport offers various options for travellers to unwind, including lounges, sleeping pods, designated rest areas, and a 24/7 three-star hotel located after security in Departures 3. Rooms can be booked for hours or overnight stays.
Dining and Shopping
Schiphol provides a variety of dining options, including premium food, snacks, and drinks at several lounges. The airport also features duty-free shopping and a pharmacy.
Additional Services
Other facilities and services available at Schiphol include medical services, 24/7 first aid, baby care areas, tax refund services, meeting rooms, workspaces, showers, baggage storage, currency exchange, and an I Amsterdam visitor centre. The airport also houses an annex of the Rijksmuseum, offering a small overview of classical and contemporary art, as well as the Schiphol Airport Library, providing access to books, e-books, and music by Dutch artists and composers.
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Schiphol's runways and terminals
Amsterdam's airport is called Schiphol. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. It is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is one of the major hubs for the SkyTeam airline alliance. Schiphol is the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, handling almost 72 million passengers in 2019. It is also the busiest airport in Europe in terms of aircraft movements.
Schiphol has six runways used for international air traffic, with plans to construct a seventh. The runways are laid out facing different wind directions to maximise the probability of aircraft being able to take off and land. The names of the runways are:
- Runway 18L-36R (Aalsmeerbaan)
- Runway 09-27 (Buitenveldertbaan)
- Runway 06-24 (Kaagbaan)
- Runway 18R-36L (Polderbaan)
- Runway 18C-36C (Zwanenburgbaan)
- Runway 04-22 (Schiphol-Oostbaan)
The Polderbaan runway is Schiphol's most frequently used runway, located 5 kilometres from the terminal building. Its distance from the terminal results in taxi times of 15 minutes or more, and it has its own air traffic control tower. The Polderbaan is a popular spot for planespotters and aviation enthusiasts, with a dedicated spotting area offering fantastic views.
Schiphol is built on the single-terminal concept, with one large terminal split into three departure halls. The terminal was expanded in 2007 with a new section called Terminal 4, though it is not considered a separate building. There are plans to expand the terminal further and construct new terminals between the Zwanenburgbaan and Polderbaan runways, moving away from the single-terminal concept.
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Frequently asked questions
Amsterdam's airport is called Schiphol Airport, or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Schiphol Airport is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland.
The airport started operating in 1916 as a military airbase, with a few barracks and a field serving as a platform and runways. In December 1920, civil aircraft began using the airport.
Schiphol Airport offers a range of amenities and services, including lounges, sleeping pods, designated rest areas, relaxation zones, food and drink options, duty-free shopping, and an airport library. The airport also features a rooftop viewing area called the Panoramaterras, which is free to access for the public and aviation enthusiasts.
