Klm's Home: Schiphol Airport's Unique Advantages

why schiphol airport is klm homebase

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, informally known as Schiphol Airport, is the main international airport of the Netherlands and serves as the home base for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. Located 9 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam, Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in Europe in terms of passenger volume and aircraft movements. It is built on the single-terminal concept, with one large terminal split into three departure halls. Schiphol offers unique features such as a library, meditation spaces, and a public address system that provides clear and multilingual announcements. The airport also boasts notable artworks, a rooftop viewing area, and KLM Crown Lounges that provide a calm environment for travellers. With its high passenger traffic and convenient location, Schiphol Airport serves as an ideal home base for KLM, catering to the airline's extensive network of destinations.

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Schiphol is the main international airport in the Netherlands

Schiphol, or Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, is the main international airport in the Netherlands. Located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam, in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland, Schiphol is the world's third busiest airport by international passenger traffic. In 2019, it was the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, handling around 72 million passengers, and the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movements.

Schiphol is the principal hub for KLM and its regional affiliates. The airport is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal split into three departure halls. Piers B and C, both dedicated Schengen areas, make up Departure Hall 1, sharing D-pier with Departure Hall 2. Pier B has 14 gates, and Pier C has 21. Pier D, the largest pier in Departure Hall 2, has two levels, with the lower floor housing non-Schengen flights and the upper floor used for Schengen flights. Pier E, a dedicated non-Schengen area, is also part of Departure Hall 2 and is typically home to SkyTeam hub airlines, including KLM. Departure Hall 3 consists of three piers: F, G, and H/M. Pier F is dominated by SkyTeam members such as KLM, Kenya Airways, and China Airlines, while Pier G has 13 gates. Piers H and M are physically one concourse, consisting of seven shared gates, with H handling non-Schengen flights and M dedicated to Schengen flights.

Schiphol offers unique features and amenities for passengers, including special areas for meditation and prayer, a library in the departure hall for intercontinental flights, and a rooftop viewing area called the Panoramaterras. The airport also has a user-friendly wayfinding system, with clear signage designed by Paul Mijksenaar, and a unique public address system that provides clear and multilingual announcements.

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It is one of the busiest airports in Europe

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international airport of the Netherlands and one of the busiest airports in Europe. With almost 72 million passengers in 2019, it is the third-busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume and the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movements. It is also the fourth busiest in terms of annual cargo tonnage, handling 1.74 million tons of cargo.

The airport is located 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) southwest of Amsterdam in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer in the province of North Holland. It covers a total area of 6,887 acres (10.761 square miles) of land. Schiphol is built on the single-terminal concept: one large terminal split into three departure halls. The airport has a unique public address system that is loud and clear, with information repeated and translated into various languages to aid both local and international passengers.

Schiphol has a range of facilities to cater to the large volume of passengers it serves. It has a meditation centre near F Pier, where passengers can find peace and quiet, and signs indicating how long it will take to get to the gate, helping passengers to manage their time. The airport also has a library in the departure hall for intercontinental flights, where travellers can choose from 1,250 books in 30 different languages. Schiphol also has a large rooftop viewing area called the Panoramaterras, which is free to access for the public and aviation enthusiasts.

As the principal hub for KLM, Schiphol plays a key role in the airline's operations. KLM carries around 30 million of the 60 million passengers that pass through the airport each year, including many transfer passengers connecting flights. The airline has developed a Schiphol Airport Map to help passengers navigate their way around, accessible via the KLM app and social media platforms.

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Schiphol has unique features like a meditation centre and an airport library

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 the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, with almost 72 million passengers in 2019. It is the world's first airport to have a library, located in the departure hall for intercontinental flights. The Schiphol Airport Library has 1,250 books in 30 different languages. The library also has comfortable armchairs for readers. The books are meant to be read on-site and left on the shelves for others to use. The airport also has a unique public address system that is loud and clear, with information repeated and translated into various languages.

Schiphol also has a Meditation Centre near Pier F, where passengers can meditate, pray, or simply find peace and quiet. The Meditation Centre also conducts church services at 11 am for different denominations, including Anglican, Roman-Catholic, and Protestant services, all held in English. The airport chaplaincy is available for emotional support for travellers.

Schiphol has other unique features, such as a large rooftop viewing area called the Panoramaterras, where people can watch aircraft and is also home to a KLM Cityhopper Fokker 100 exhibit. Schiphol also has notable public artworks, including the Schiphol clock by Maarten Baas, where a man behind a translucent screen appears to paint the minutes of an analogue clock by hand. The airport also has a mortuary and once offered wedding ceremonies.

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The airport has a clear public address system and wayfinding signage

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the main international airport of the Netherlands, is KLM's home base. The airport is a buzzing hive of activity, with around 60 million passengers passing through each year. KLM carries around half of these passengers.

In 1993, Schiphol Airport introduced new wayfinding signage designed by Paul Mijksenaar. The airport also launched a user-friendly Schiphol Airport Map to help passengers find their way around. The map, accessible via the KLM app and social media, features a floor plan that includes KLM's gates, check-in desks, lounges, kiosks, and transfer desks. It also shows general airport facilities, such as toilets, shops, workspaces, and meditation areas. Passengers' locations are marked as a dot on the floor plan, allowing them to easily estimate their distance from their gate.

Additionally, Schiphol has signs displaying the time it takes to get to the gate, helping passengers manage their time effectively. This feature is especially useful for those who arrive at the airport at the last minute and are rushing to their gate.

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KLM has a strong presence at Schiphol with its own facilities

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 the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume, with almost 72 million passengers in 2019. Schiphol is the principal hub for KLM and its regional affiliates.

KLM also has a dedicated KLM Jet Center, a general aviation terminal located on the east side of the airport. Additionally, the airline operates Crown Lounges at Schiphol, where passengers can relax and access various facilities.

KLM carries around 30 million passengers through Schiphol each year, including many transfer passengers who catch connecting flights. The airline is known for its helpful staff, who assist passengers with connections and provide fast-tracking for those running late for their flights.

Schiphol itself also provides unique features that enhance KLM's presence at the airport. These include a meditation centre, a library with books in 30 languages, and a large rooftop viewing area called the Panoramaterras, where a KLM Cityhopper Fokker 100 is on display.

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, of which KLM is a member.

Schiphol Airport served 72 million passengers in 2019, including 30 million carried by KLM.

Schiphol Airport has a library, meditation rooms, and a KLM Crown Lounge with working areas, WiFi access, showers, and a buffet.

Schiphol Airport has a large rooftop viewing area called the Panoramaterras, where visitors can see a KLM Cityhopper Fokker 100 exhibit. The airport also features notable artworks, including the Schiphol clock by Maarten Baas.

Schiphol Airport provides clear multilingual public announcements and signs indicating the time required to reach gates. The airport also offers online, self-service, and ticket desk check-in options.

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