Roberta Aguirre
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of Europe's largest aviation hubs, has been described as one of the worst airports in the world. The airport, located 9 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam, has been criticised for its long lines, missed flights, inefficient baggage screening, and unfriendly staff. The Dutch government's decision to reduce the number of flights for environmental reasons has also caused issues, with some travellers opting to connect through other airports. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting staff shortages have exacerbated the problems at Schiphol, with travellers reporting long wait times and missed connections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Inefficiency | Long lines, missed flights, slow baggage screening machines, and incompetent staff |
| High landing fees | Due to the limit of 500,000 flights per year |
| Environmental concerns | The Dutch government has announced a cap of 440,000 flights per year starting in late 2023 |
| Inconvenience | Lack of coffee options, long walk from the train station to the gate |
| Unfriendly staff | Condescending and extremely unfriendly |
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What You'll Learn
Long lines and missed flights
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, located 9 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam, is the main international airport of the Netherlands and one of the largest aviation hubs in Europe. In 2019, it was the third-busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, handling almost 72 million passengers.
However, in recent years, the airport has gained a reputation for long lines and missed flights, with passengers reporting waiting times of up to five hours to get through security. In some cases, passengers have had to stand in line for hours just to reach the security check area, and these lengthy queues have even extended beyond the airport building. This has resulted in a significant number of missed flights, contributing to a chaotic and stressful experience for travellers.
Several factors have been attributed to the long lines at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. One of the main issues is a shortage of staff, which has also been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The high volume of passenger traffic, with the airport serving millions of passengers annually, further contributes to the congestion and delays. Additionally, there have been complaints about the slow processing speed of baggage screening machines, which has further prolonged the time passengers spend in lines.
The situation has been described as "chaos" and has led to a significant amount of frustration and dissatisfaction among travellers. Some passengers have even opted to avoid flying through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol due to their negative experiences. The issues at the airport have also impacted travellers beyond their time at the airport, with reports of luggage failing to make it onto flights, leaving passengers without their belongings in their destination cities.
To address these issues, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has implemented various measures. The airport has announced plans for terminal and gate expansions, including the construction of a new terminal, to accommodate the high passenger volume. Additionally, the Dutch government has proposed initiatives to reduce air travel demand, such as encouraging the use of high-speed rail for shorter journeys and capping the number of flights per year.
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Staff shortages
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the main international airport of the Netherlands, has been criticized for long lines and missed flights, with passengers reporting that they have had to stand in line for hours to get through security checks.
Another passenger described their encounter with lengthy wait times, attributing it to understaffing at the airport. They mentioned having to arrive at the airport three hours in advance and spending two and a half hours just to get from the train to the gate. The passenger, who was 68 years old and had a bad hip, found the experience challenging and exhausting.
The impact of staff shortages extends beyond operational inefficiencies and also influences the behavior of airport employees. Some passengers have described encounters with airport staff who were condescending and extremely unfriendly, giving the impression that they were interrupting their work. This attitude further exacerbates the challenges faced by travelers dealing with flight delays, long lines, and missed connections.
The issues at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol have prompted concerns about the airport's capacity to handle its high volume of passenger traffic. As one of Europe's largest aviation hubs, the airport has a significant number of passengers passing through each year. The combination of staff shortages and high passenger volume has resulted in a challenging environment for both travelers and airport staff.
To address these challenges, the airport and airlines have received government support in the form of bailouts. However, passengers continue to face difficulties due to the ongoing impact of staff shortages and operational inefficiencies. These issues have contributed to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol's reputation as one of the most feared European airports.
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Inefficient baggage screening
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the main international airport of the Netherlands, has been described as inefficient and chaotic, with passengers reporting long lines and missed flights. One of the main issues is the slow and inefficient baggage screening process.
Passengers have reported extremely long wait times, with some having to arrive at the airport up to 5 hours before their flight just to allow for the time-consuming baggage screening and security check processes. In some cases, passengers have had to stand in line for hours, with queues extending beyond the airport building. This has resulted in a poor experience for travellers, with some missing their flights due to the lengthy wait times.
The inefficiency of the baggage screening process has been attributed to a lack of staff and the slow pace of the screening machines. The issue is not unique to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, as other airports, like SeaTac, have also experienced similar problems with long lines at baggage and security screening areas. However, the impact of the inefficient baggage screening at Amsterdam Airport has been significant, affecting not only the experience of travellers but also the operations of the airport and airlines.
The airport, which is built on the single-terminal concept, has faced challenges in managing the high volume of passenger traffic. With approximately 223 boarding gates and handling millions of passengers annually, efficient baggage screening is crucial to ensuring a smooth flow of travellers. However, the slow process has resulted in delays and disruptions, impacting not only those travelling through Amsterdam but also those connecting to other flights.
To improve the baggage screening process and reduce wait times, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has implemented various measures. These include gradual refurbishments of jetways and the addition of new terminals and gates to accommodate the increasing passenger volume. However, further improvements are needed to address the ongoing issues with inefficient baggage screening and its impact on the overall airport experience.
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High landing fees
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of the busiest airports in Europe, has been criticised for its high landing fees. The airport, which handled over 66.8 million passengers annually as of 2024, charges high fees for landing due to the limit of 500,000 flights per year. This has led some low-cost carriers to move their flights to smaller airports, such as Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Eindhoven Airport.
The high landing fees at Amsterdam Airport can be attributed to several factors, including the airport's high traffic volume and operational costs. As one of the major aviation hubs in Europe, Schiphol Airport experiences intense traffic, with a high volume of passenger and aircraft movements. This heavy usage contributes to increased operational costs, including those associated with security, maintenance, and infrastructure.
Additionally, the Dutch government's focus on environmental sustainability has influenced the airport's fees. There has been a push toward reducing air travel and promoting high-speed rail as a more environmentally friendly alternative for short-haul flights. The government has announced a cap of 440,000 flights per year, effective in late 2023, which further contributes to the high landing fees at the airport.
The high landing fees have had an impact on the operations and decisions of airlines. Some low-cost carriers have opted to utilise the low-cost H pier at Schiphol, while others have relocated their flights to smaller airports with lower fees. In 2015, Lelystad Airport was expanded to accommodate some of the low-cost and leisure flights operating out of Schiphol, taking up to 45,000 flights per year.
The high landing fees at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol have been a significant factor in the airport's operations and the choices made by airlines. These fees reflect the high demand and usage of the airport, as well as the environmental considerations and policies implemented by the Dutch government. The impact of these fees is evident in the decisions made by airlines to balance their operational costs and maintain profitability.
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Unfriendly staff
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, one of Europe's largest aviation hubs, has been described as having "unfriendly staff." Passengers have reported negative experiences with the airport staff, ranging from a lack of support to condescending and unfriendly attitudes.
In one instance, a passenger shared their experience of missing their flight due to lengthy security check lines, with no assistance provided by the KLM transfer desk. This indicates a potential lack of empathy and support from the airport staff.
Another passenger recounted an encounter with staff who appeared to be condescending and acted as if the passenger was interrupting them. Such attitudes can leave a negative impression on travellers, impacting their overall experience at the airport.
The issue of staff shortage has also been raised, particularly at KLM's baggage counter, resulting in delays. Staff shortages can contribute to longer wait times and a decline in the quality of service provided.
The efficiency of the baggage screening machines has also been called into question, with reports of slow processing times, further exacerbating the delays experienced by passengers.
While some passengers have praised the airport for its efficient handling of transit options and ample food and shopping choices, the unfriendly attitude of the staff has been a consistent point of criticism, marring an otherwise positive travel experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Europe, with almost 72 million passengers in 2019. The high volume of passengers, coupled with staff shortages, has resulted in extremely long lines and wait times, particularly at security and baggage claim.
The Dutch government has implemented a cap of 440,000 flights per year, effective in late 2023, to reduce air travel demand and address environmental concerns. The airport is also considering prohibiting private jets and restricting takeoffs and landings during specific times to minimise noise and environmental pollution.
The restrictions on the number of flights and passengers have reduced connecting options and inconvenienced travellers. Some passengers have opted to connect through other airports, such as Charles de Gaulle, to avoid the issues at Amsterdam Airport.
Staff shortages have resulted in long lines and missed flights. Passengers have reported waiting several hours to get through security and experiencing issues with baggage handling, leading to negative experiences and dissatisfaction.
Opinions vary, with some people considering it one of the worst airports in the world due to inefficient processes, unfriendly staff, and limited food and beverage options. Others have had more positive experiences, noting the availability of transit options and shopping choices.
