Waiting times at Schiphol airport in Amsterdam (Netherlands) stretched to more than 2.5 hours on Saturday, with many missing their flights as a result.
A lack of security personnel slowed the passage of travellers through security checkpoints with queues stretching outside the departure hall and sparking outraged reactions on social media.
#schiphol shame, 3h15mins waiting to pass security control, 1pm-4pm, absolutely unwelcoming for small children and elders. Avoid at any costs! @DickBenschop I challenge you to try waiting with small children, if you can't fix it, just be #accountable and quit! pic.twitter.com/G7bYtPu700
— kosmikCitizen (@kosmikCitizen) August 20, 2022
A spokesperson said the airport has requested more security guards from the contract companies. Exactly why there were fewer security officers than expected on Saturday is not known: it is possible that some were sick but the spokesman was unable to confirm this.
It is not the first time this year that queues have grown at Schiphol Airport due to a shortage of security and baggage handling personnel. However, the situation has been calmer in recent days.
The airport is also expecting a peak in attendance on Sunday, with a crossover between departing and returning holidaymakers.
Passengers are advised to arrive no earlier than four hours before departure. If you arrive too early, the baggage check-in counter may not be open, which leads to unnecessary waiting times.
