Roberta Aguirre
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking third in 2023 for international passenger traffic. The airport is easily accessible by bus, train, metro, and car, serving as the main international airport of the Netherlands. With high passenger volume, Amsterdam Airport has faced challenges with long lines, labour shortages, and passenger caps, leading to occasional delays and wait times. However, recent improvements have been made to enhance efficiency and address these issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| World ranking by international passenger traffic | 3rd busiest in 2023; 5th busiest in 2019 |
| World ranking by cargo tonnage | 4th busiest in Europe; 16th busiest in the world |
| Number of passengers in 2019 | 71,706,999 |
| Number of passengers in 2024 | 66.8 million+ |
| Percentage of passengers by region in 2019 | Europe (70.5%), North America (10.6%), Asia (10.1%) |
| Percentage of cargo volume by region in 2019 | Asia (46.3%), North America (17.6%) |
| Number of carriers in 2019 | 102 |
| Number of destinations in 2019 | 332 |
| Number of uniform platforms | Expanded in recent years |
| Number of wide-body platforms (planned) | 12 (planned completion: 2022-2026) |
| Number of entrances to train station (planned) | More entrances planned |
| Bus station renewal | Planned opening in 2025 |
| Connection to Amsterdam Metro network | In discussion since the 1990s |
| Number of security guards | 2,000 (more hires planned) |
| Number of passengers who paid to jump the security line | Unknown, but up to $1,250 each |
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What You'll Learn
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the world's busiest airports for international passenger traffic
- The airport is easily accessible by bus, metro, train, taxi, and bicycle
- Schiphol is undergoing expansion to increase the number of uniform platforms and wide-body aircraft stowage
- A labor shortage and ongoing passenger cap have contributed to long lines at security
- Amsterdam Airport has been criticised for its handling of crowds, with passengers waiting for hours to get through security
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the world's busiest airports for international passenger traffic
The airport covers a total area of 6,887 acres (10.761 square miles) of land. It is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal split into three departure halls, which connect again once airside. Schiphol's main competitors in terms of passenger traffic include London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, and Istanbul.
In 2019, a record 71,706,999 passengers passed through the airport, making it the third-busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume and the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movements. As of 2024, the airport handled over 66.8 million passengers annually, reinforcing its status as one of Europe's largest aviation hubs. Schiphol has expanded the number of uniform platforms and places to stow airplanes in recent years, with a third phase planned to expand the number of wide-body platforms.
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. While most roads leading to the airport are forbidden for bicycles, it is possible to reach the airport via bicycle paths. To address the issue of crowds and long lines, Schiphol announced plans for wage increases for security staff, better schedules, and improved rest areas for workers.
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The airport is easily accessible by bus, metro, train, taxi, and bicycle
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is easily accessible by bus, train, taxi, and bicycle. The airport is well-connected to the city centre via various transportation options, making it convenient for travellers to get to and from their accommodations.
The train is one of the most popular choices for travellers, as it is fast, inexpensive, and provides a direct connection to Amsterdam Central Station without any transfers. The train station is easily accessible from the main arrivals hall, and trains depart frequently, usually every 7 to 10 minutes, with the ride taking around 15 to 20 minutes. The Sprinter service and the Intercity Direct trains are among the options for this route.
The Amsterdam Airport Express Bus, also known as Bus 397, is another popular option. This bus service runs 24/7, with departures every 7 to 12 minutes, and it takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the city centre. While it doesn't go to Amsterdam Central Station, it has convenient stops near popular areas such as Olympic Stadium, Museumplein, and Leidseplein.
Taxis are also readily available at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, providing a door-to-door service. Official Amsterdam Airport taxis can be found 24/7 outside the arrivals hall, and the ride to the city centre typically takes around 25 minutes. However, traffic can cause delays and increase the final fare, which usually ranges from €45 to €55.
In addition to these options, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol also offers hotel shuttles and private transfers, providing travellers with a range of choices to suit their preferences and budgets.
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Schiphol is undergoing expansion to increase the number of uniform platforms and wide-body aircraft stowage
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol 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 in terms of passenger volume, aircraft movements, and cargo tonnage. To accommodate the increasing passenger numbers and large aircraft, Schiphol is undergoing a significant expansion project called the Uniform Platform project.
The Uniform Platform project aims to increase the number of uniform platforms and stowage areas for wide-body aircraft. Wide-body aircraft occasionally require a temporary stand when there is no space at the gate, and the expansion provides extra buffer zones to accommodate this. The project is being carried out in several phases, with the first two phases already completed. In phase one, the number of stands increased from five to seven. Phase two extended the platform further, resulting in ten stands for wide-body aircraft.
The expansion of the Uniform Platform is not without its challenges. One notable issue is the increase in heavy rains, which has led to problems with excess runoff water. To address this, the project team developed a smart water buffer and drainage system. Additionally, the expansion project involves moving cabling to casings in the lowest asphalt layers, a process that is currently in the pilot phase.
The third phase of the expansion is planned to increase the total capacity to twelve wide-body aircraft positions. This phase is based on the 2022-2026 business plan, and its completion will further enhance Schiphol's ability to handle the growing number of passengers and large aircraft. However, Schiphol's growth is constrained by slot restrictions from the government, with safety and noise reduction measures limiting the airport to no more than 500,000 aircraft movements until the end of 2020.
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A labor shortage and ongoing passenger cap have contributed to long lines at security
Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, the main international airport in the Netherlands, has been facing significant challenges due to a combination of a labour shortage and an ongoing passenger cap. These factors have resulted in long lines at security, causing frustration and delays for travellers.
The labour shortage at Schiphol Airport began in April 2022 and has impacted various operational areas, including security, baggage handling, and ground crew. The shortage of security staff has been particularly acute, leading to long lines at security checkpoints. In some cases, passengers have reported waiting for hours to get through security, with lines snaking outside the airport.
To address the labour shortage, Schiphol Airport has implemented several measures. These include offering wage increases for security staff, improving work schedules, and providing better rest areas for workers. The airport has also announced plans to hire more security guards to boost the current number involved in the passenger process. However, the tight labour market presents challenges in quickly recruiting the necessary staff.
In addition to the labour shortage, an ongoing passenger cap imposed by the airport has further contributed to the long lines at security. The cap was put in place to manage the high demand for air travel and reduce flight cancellations. However, it has resulted in reduced flight capacity for airlines operating at Schiphol, including KLM, the main carrier at the airport. The passenger cap is set to remain in place until at least the end of March 2023, with the possibility of an extension depending on the situation.
The combination of the labour shortage and the passenger cap has led to a challenging situation at Schiphol Airport. Many travellers have resorted to purchasing VIP services, such as Schiphol's VIP Service, to avoid the long lines at security. However, even these premium services have faced challenges due to the lack of available staff to manage the increased demand. As a result, new memberships for VIP services have been paused indefinitely.
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Amsterdam Airport has been criticised for its handling of crowds, with passengers waiting for hours to get through security
Amsterdam Airport, also known as Schiphol Airport, has faced criticism for its handling of crowds, with passengers enduring lengthy waits to clear security. The airport, the third-largest in Europe, has struggled with significant passenger volume coupled with inadequate staffing levels, resulting in excessive delays.
The situation has been characterised by enormous queues, with security lines extending outside the airport, reflecting the severe strain on the airport's operations. This has prompted travellers to explore alternative options, such as Schiphol's VIP Service, which offers expedited security checks and exclusive amenities at a substantial cost. However, the high demand for this service has even led to a temporary suspension of new memberships due to insufficient staff to accommodate the influx of VIP passengers.
The underlying issues at Amsterdam Airport stem from a perfect storm of challenges. A labour shortage, compounded by a strike in April 2022, has severely impacted their ability to manage the high passenger numbers effectively. The strike by baggage handlers, coupled with staffing cuts implemented during the pandemic, exacerbated the existing shortage of personnel, particularly in critical areas such as security and baggage handling.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Schiphol Airport announced plans in October 2022 to address the issues. These plans include wage increases for security staff, improved schedules, and enhanced rest areas for workers. Additionally, they intend to recruit more security guards, with a focus on joint recruitment campaigns involving the five security companies operating at the airport. However, aviation experts have criticised these measures as insufficient and shortsighted, arguing that other airports facing similar pandemic-related staffing issues have returned to business as usual.
The airport has also faced criticism for its decision to reduce flight capacity in the fall months, a move that further highlights their struggle to manage demand. This reduction comes amidst plans by the Dutch government to cut the number of permitted flights to reduce noise and air pollution, a decision that has sparked concern within the industry. Despite these challenges, passenger experiences vary, with some reporting minimal delays while others endure hours-long waits, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the situation.
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Frequently asked questions
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands and is one of the major hubs for the SkyTeam airline alliance. It is one of Europe's largest aviation hubs, with 72 million passengers in 2019.
Amsterdam Airport is the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume. It is the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movement, with 70.5% of passengers flying to and from Europe, 10.6% to and from North America, and 10.1% to and from Asia.
It is recommended that you get to the airport 2.5 hours before your flight. However, some passengers have reported getting through security in as little as 10 minutes, while others have experienced wait times of several hours.
Amsterdam Airport has faced criticism for its handling of crowds, with a labour shortage and ongoing passenger cap causing issues. The airport has implemented measures such as wage increases for security staff, improved schedules, and the hiring of more security officers to improve the situation.
Passenger experiences vary at Amsterdam Airport. While some travellers report lengthy wait times and crowded conditions, others have found the airport efficient, with fast security processing and minimal delays. It is recommended to check wait times via the airport website or app before planning your arrival.
