[AMcWhirter]

We in the UK thought we had problems with airport congestion.

But in the Netherlands this morning (April 23) Schiphol has just tweeted to tell passengers not to come to the airport anymore. [NL]

It’s very rare for a major European hub airport to issue such blunt advice caused by a lightning strike by KLM baggage loaders.

Schiphol en partners doen er op dit moment alles aan de situatie op de luchthaven beheersbaar te houden. Mede door de staking bij KLM is de terminal op dit moment te vol. Schiphol roept reizigers op niet meer naar de luchthaven te komen. https://t.co/KqnNZ1sEXz

— Schiphol (@Schiphol) April 23, 2022

Belgium’s aviation24.be has an English translation.

Wildcat strike of KLM aircraft loaders at Amsterdam Schiphol

Schiphol majors on transfer traffic and many of the latter travellers would already been en route (especially those on incoming long-haul flights).

Let’s hope the strike is settled soon.

[AMcWhirter]

Now KLM has issued a statement [NL] to say that the strike has finished but there will be delays and cancellations.

Readers who may be flying to, from or through Schiphol today must bear this in mind. In the case of long haul transit travellers it may take a couple of days until schedules return to normal.

KLM says “these disruptions will have a major impact on passengers and colleagues at the start of the May holiday. KLM is doing everything it can to fully resume operations as soon as possible.”

https://nieuws.klm.com/statement-einde-werkonderbreking-beladingsmedewerkers-klm/

[nevereconomy]

Would not happen here as we have no loaders to go on strike…or anybody to do anything else for that matter…

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PeterCoultas

[AMcWhirter]

The issues at Schiphol are not over yet.

This morning Luchtvaartnieuws [NL] is reporting that a number of KLM flights have had to divert away from Schiphol because of congestion at the latter.

The flights in question, which I presume would be short-haul, were diverted to Rotterdam, Gronningen and Brussels.

KLM’s operations director Rene de Groot is quoted as saying that this is due to runway maintenance which has reduced Schiphol’s capacity.

https://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nieuws/categorie/2/airlines/klm-vluchten-wijken-uit-naar-rotterdam-door-te-weinig-capaciteit-op-schiphol

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Abidjan

[AMcWhirter]

Latest news this evening is that Schiphol has asked airlines to cut some flights over the coming days in a bid to minimise the congestion that this airport has been experiencing.

Staff shortages exacerbated by a strike have caused huge delays at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport.

The airport has now asked airlines to reduce the number of passengers by cutting flights.https://t.co/Y1PTUiCPnO

— DW News (@dwnews) April 28, 2022

[AMcWhirter]

KLM has cancelled a number of flights over the weekend. It says further cancellations may follow so check your bookings. KLM advises that travellers check-in at Schiphol three hours in advance.

https://nieuws.klm.com/statement-drukte-en-annuleringen-schiphol-weekend-29-30-april-en-1-mei/

Statement crowds and cancellations Schiphol weekend 29-30 April and 1 May
KLM has canceled 47 flights (returns and one-way) for Saturday and Sunday to date. On Friday, there was already a total of 28 return flights that have been cancelled. Due to these cancellations, we can provide a pleasant start and a pleasant return home for the vast majority of our customers.

On the one hand, the cancellation must contribute to Schiphol’s request to keep the processes at the airport manageable because of the staff shortage there. On the other hand, these cancellations in KLM’s flight schedule also contribute to reducing the workload.

The flight schedule will be optimized per day this weekend. More cancellations are not foreseen for now, but can still follow.

We request our customers to arrive at Schiphol on time, whereby 3 hours in advance is preferred.

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Polly

[TominScotland]

I have a KLM transfer in Amsterdam scheduled for early next month at the weekend (BAH-AMS-GLA). Out of mercurial interest, I take it that EC261 would apply to cancellations of this kind unless advised 2 weeks in advance?

[AMcWhirter]

[quote quote=1213700]I take it that EC261 would apply to cancellations of this kind unless advised 2 weeks in advance?[/quote]

Tom – here are the EU261 rules as published by our CAA.

https://www.caa.co.uk/passengers/resolving-travel-problems/delays-and-cancellations/cancellations/

[AMcWhirter]

The problems at Schiphol started one month ago. They still continue.

Over the weeks the situation has been variable but today English language NL Times reports of further delays, cancellations etc.

The security situation is caused by staff shortage according to Schiphol.

https://nltimes.nl/2022/05/23/chaotic-scenes-schiphol-450-flights-delayed-75-flights-cancelled-amid-staff-shortage?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[rodders]

We travelled to Amsterdam on May 14 and 15, inbound was fine, but we spent 90+minutes (this included a partial short cut for business/gold cards etc.) on Sunday 15th to get through security and passport control, they were letting 1 person at a time use the security lanes. The Dutch lady behind me in the security queue was fuming with rage at the situation.

[Author]

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