Silhouette of a group of travelers at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands.


The beleaguered Amsterdam Airport Schiphol said on Friday it will limit flights until the end of March as one of Europe’s biggest hubs struggles with long lines as air travel recovers.

Due to a severe staff shortage after laying off thousands during the Covid-19 pandemic, travelers at Schiphol Airport have faced huge queues lasting hours in recent months.

The airport has forced airlines to cut flights, offered compensation to passengers who missed flights, and chief executive Dick Benshop resigned earlier this month.

“Schiphol Airport will maintain the maximum number of travelers who can depart from the airport for the next few months following consultations with the airlines,” Schiphol said in a statement.

“The airport plans to do this until the end of March. Towards the end of the year, we have a moment to consider whether we can do more from the end of January.”

Hanne Buis, the airport’s chief operating officer, admitted the restrictions were “annoying” but improving conditions “is a big job in a very tight labor market. must become,” he said.

Dutch national airline KLM, Schiphol’s biggest user, said the airport’s “service has been substandard for too long.”

The previous limit had reduced the number of departing passengers by 18%. The new limit, which is in effect until March, equates to a 22% reduction, the company said.

“With the new winter restrictions, Schiphol offers us no prospects,” KLM CEO Marjane Rinter said in a statement.

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