Long lines and traveler frustration over a shortage of security personnel are back at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, one of the busiest in Europe. Airport management on Monday asked airlines to cancel flights.
The group explained that there were fewer personnel than requested from the security companies. Due to a shortage of agents, “the number of waiting passengers is increasing”, especially in Terminal 3. Therefore, Schiphol has been forced to ask certain airlines whose passengers were leaving the terminal in question to cancel flights on Monday between 4:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. p.m.
A wave of resignations after the abolition of the summer subsidy
Like many other airports in Europe, Schiphol has experienced significant disruption in recent months due to staff shortages as the airline industry recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an attempt to reduce traveler wait times, the airport has limited the number of passengers since July. He had also promised staff bonuses for the busy summer months. The main Dutch union says the return of long queues is due to the abolition of summer pay, which has caused many security workers to leave their posts after finding work elsewhere.
Claims processed
The airport assured that its teams are “working hard” so that everyone can travel today, but warned that it was “possible” that travelers missed their flights due to long waiting times.
Many of them took to social media and posted photos of the long queues. “Crazy queue at Schiphol again today. This must stop,” one traveler wrote on Twitter. The airport treats people “even worse than animals,” judged another on the same social network.
Travelers who missed their flight due to long waiting times at security can report to Schiphol with their claim for compensation, the airport said. Airlines that comply with the flight cancellation request will be compensated, Schiphol also promised.
Source: BFM TV
