Chaos at Schiphol airport continues exacerbate passengers and airport management, even after the busy summer period. To deal with long queues, the number if department travelers needs to be reduced by almost a fifth until the end of October, reported De Standaard.
Schiphol airport CEO Dick Benschop resigned on Thursday after the problems at the airport weren't resolved. Just hours later, the airport's management announced it would cut 18% of its capacity, to have some 9,000 fewer passengers per day.
Europe's third biggest airport in Amsterdam has struggled with major staff shortages for months. The airport has in particular struggled to hire people for its security services.
Many problems
Despite the summer season ending, local media reported hours-long delays and queues that stretched outside the airport building.
Schiphol urged airlines to cancel flights, while blaming delays on external security companies, which is said were understaffed.
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In addition to security services, there was a lack of baggage handlers, to the point that office staff at Schiphol had to help carrying suitcases.
Following the chaos at the start of the week, the airport is now submitted a forced flight reduction plan till at least the end of October.
Tour operators and airlines alike were disappointed with the forced cuts.
Aftermath of the coronavirus
Schiphol is still battling the effects of the pandemic, which saw the travel sector lay off most of its staff. But when flights were allowed again, staff members went elsewhere and didn't want to return when flight traffic resumed.
Further to this, Amsterdam is struggling with major housing shortage in the areas around Amsterdam, which means that buying or renting homes is extremely costly. The region is therefore less attractive for those with average salaries, such as security officers at Schiphol airport, and who don't have social housing.
