
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the main international airport of the Netherlands, has been ranked as one of the top 15 airports in the world. In 2017, it was ranked as the third busiest airport in Europe and the eleventh busiest in the world by total passenger traffic. The airport has a unique design, with a single terminal split into three departure halls, and is known for its innovations, such as being home to the world's first airport park, library, and museum.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol |
| IATA Code | AMS |
| ICAO Code | EHAM |
| Location | 9 kilometres (5.6 mi; 4.9 nmi) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland |
| Year of Opening | 16 September 1916 |
| Terminals | 1 |
| Halls | 3 |
| Boarding Gates | 223 |
| Ranking in 2012 | 16th busiest airport in the world |
| Ranking in 2013, 2014, 2015 | 14th busiest airport in the world |
| Ranking in 2016 | 12th busiest airport in the world |
| Ranking in 2017 | 11th busiest airport in the world |
| Ranking in 2019 | 11th busiest airport in the world |
| Ranking in 2022 | 15th best airport in the world |
| Ranking in 2023 | 3rd busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic |
| Skytrax Rating | 4-Star |
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What You'll Learn

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is ranked 11th busiest airport in the world
The airport has an impressive annual passenger volume of almost 72 million, with a record 71,706,999 passengers passing through in 2019. This number is even more remarkable considering the airport's relatively small size of 6,887 acres. Schiphol Airport has an extensive network of destinations, with 102 carriers providing 332 regular destinations in 2019. The majority of its passengers travel to and from Europe, with North America and Asia also being significant destinations.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has won numerous awards and accolades. It is the oldest airport in Europe, dating back to 1916 when it first opened as a military airbase. The airport has a rich history, with the Fokker aircraft manufacturer starting a factory nearby in 1919 and civil aircraft beginning to use the field in 1920. Today, Schiphol is known for its innovative features, such as being home to the first 'airport park', the first airport library, and the first airport museum.
In addition to its high ranking as the 11th busiest airport in the world, Schiphol has also been recognised as the 15th-best airport in a recent ranking that assessed customer service and facilities. The airport has achieved a 4-Star Airport rating by Skytrax for its facilities, terminal comfort and cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, staff service, and security/immigration.
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It is the third busiest airport in Europe
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the main international airport of the Netherlands, is ranked as the third busiest airport in Europe by passenger volume. In 2019, the airport handled a record 71,706,999 passengers, with 70.5% of them flying to and from Europe, 10.6% to and from North America, and 10.1% to and from Asia. The airport's cargo volume was mainly between Schiphol and Asia (46.3%) and North America (17.6%). As of 2024, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol handled over 66.8 million passengers annually, reinforcing its status as one of Europe's largest aviation hubs.
The airport's ranking as the third busiest in Europe is notable, considering its unique single-terminal design with three departure halls. This design, unusual for a large hub, allows for efficient passenger movement and connectivity. Schiphol Airport has approximately 223 boarding gates, including eighteen double jetway gates for widebody aircraft and two gates with a third jetway for the Airbus A380. The airport's efficient layout and capacity have contributed to its high ranking in terms of passenger traffic.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has also received recognition for its facilities, terminal comfort, cleanliness, shopping options, food and beverage offerings, staff service, and security. The airport has won numerous awards, including the Best Airport Website and Digital Services award. It is also known for its innovations, such as a unique baggage system that employs robots in the South Hall. Additionally, Schiphol has the distinction of being the oldest airport in Europe, operating from the same location where its first aircraft landed in 1916.
The airport has faced challenges, such as intense traffic and high landing fees due to the limit of 500,000 flights per year. Some low-cost carriers have moved to smaller airports, but many, like EasyJet and Ryanair, continue to operate at Schiphol. Despite these issues, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol remains a significant aviation hub in Europe, serving as a convenient transfer point within the continent and offering excellent land connections through integrated rail networks.
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Schiphol Airport is the largest airport in the Netherlands
Schiphol Airport, also known as Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, is the largest airport in the Netherlands. Located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland, the airport plays an important role in European aviation.
The airport was opened on 16 September 1916 as a military airbase, with a few barracks and a field serving as a platform and runways. Civilian aircraft began using the airport in 1920, and by 1940, Schiphol had four asphalt runways at 45-degree angles. During World War II, the airport was captured by the German military and renamed Fliegerhorst Schiphol. It was destroyed through bombing but was rebuilt after the war. In 1949, it was decided that Schiphol would become the primary airport of the Netherlands, and a new terminal building was constructed.
Today, Schiphol Airport is a major international aviation hub, serving as the main international airport of the Netherlands and a significant hub for the SkyTeam airline alliance. The airport has six runways and five main terminals, which are functionally linked but considered separate entities. The terminal is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal split into three departure halls, designated as Halls 1, 2, and 3. These halls are further divided into piers and concourses, with approximately 223 boarding gates, including eighteen double jetway gates for widebody aircraft.
Schiphol Airport has a high passenger capacity, handling over 70 million passengers annually, with a record of 71,706,999 passengers in 2019. It is ranked as one of the busiest airports in the world, holding the position of the eleventh busiest airport worldwide by total passenger traffic in 2017. In 2023, it was the world's third busiest airport by international passenger traffic. The airport also handles a significant amount of cargo, with an annual tonnage of 1.74 million, making it the fourth busiest in Europe for cargo.
Schiphol Airport offers direct flights to numerous destinations worldwide, with around 100 scheduled airlines providing connections to 220 locations. It is the principal hub for KLM and its regional affiliate, KLM Cityhopper, as well as for Martinair. The airport also serves as an operating base for several other airlines, including Corendon Dutch Airlines, easyJet, Transavia, TUI fly Netherlands, and Vueling.
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The airport is Skytrax 4-star rated
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 mi; 4.9 nmi) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. The airport is Skytrax 4-star rated.
Skytrax is a UK-based consultancy headquartered in London that runs an airline and airport review website. Skytrax conducts research for commercial airlines and takes surveys from international travellers to rate cabin staff, airports, airlines, airline lounges, in-flight entertainment, on-board catering, and several other elements of air travel. Skytrax also holds an annual World Airline Awards and World Airport Awards, as well as ranking airlines and airports.
The Skytrax 4-star rating for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is for facilities, terminal comfort and cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, staff service, and security/immigration. The airport provides an excellent and convenient transfer point within Europe, and the synergy between KLM and the airport authority ensures a seamless passenger experience.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of Europe's largest aviation hubs, handling over 66.8 million passengers annually. It was ranked as Europe's third busiest and the world's eleventh busiest by total passenger traffic in 2017. The airport has been known to face issues with overcrowding during peak periods, especially at security screening points.
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Schiphol is one of the world's top 15 airports
Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is one of the world's top 15 airports. In 2022, it was ranked 15th best in the world by the UK-based consultancy firm Skytrax, which has been compiling the World Airport Awards annually since 1999. Skytrax's rankings are based on passenger experiences across various key airport services, such as check-in, transfers, security, and retail services.
Schiphol is the largest airport in the Netherlands and one of Europe's busiest airports. It is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is one of the major hubs for the SkyTeam airline alliance.
The airport has a unique design, with a single terminal that is split into three departure halls. It has five runways, 90 gates, and can accommodate a maximum of 106 arrival and 110 departure movements per hour. Schiphol has won almost 200 global and European airport awards over the past 30 years. It is also the oldest airport in Europe, opening as a military airbase in 1916, and is the second-lowest airport in the world, at 4.5 metres below sea level.
In recent years, Schiphol has faced challenges due to intense traffic and high landing fees, with some low-cost carriers moving their flights to smaller airports. Despite these issues, Schiphol remains a popular and highly-ranked airport, with a 4-star rating from Skytrax for facilities, terminal comfort and cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, staff service, and security/immigration.
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Frequently asked questions
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was ranked 11th in the world in 2017.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol was ranked 3rd busiest in Europe in 2017.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the first airport in the world to have an 'airport park', an airport library, and an airport museum. It is also the oldest airport in Europe, having been in the same place since 1916.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has won almost 200 global and European airport awards over the past 30 years. It has also been awarded 4 stars by Skytrax for facilities, terminal comfort and cleanliness, shopping, food and beverages, staff service, and security/immigration. In 2022, it received the award for Best Airport Website and Digital Services.

























