Schiphol is currently extremely busy due to a shortage of staff. As a result, there are very long queues at the airport and some flights are being cancelled and delayed on a daily basis.

What time should I arrive at Schiphol?
Always follow your airline’s advice on what time you should arrive at Schiphol. The waiting times are calculated based on that advice. If you are in the departure hall at the right time, you will join the right queue for your flight and you’ll be surrounded by people flying around the same time as you.

Am I in the right queue?
When it’s busy at Schiphol, it can be difficult to know if you are in the right queue. If you still need to check in or drop off your baggage, you should queue up for the check-in desks. Look for your flight on the screens or use the Schiphol app to find out which desk you need to be at. If you have already checked in and you have either already dropped off your bags or only have hand baggage, you can go straight to the queue for the security check. If you are not sure where to queue up, you can always ask a Schiphol employee. Some queues start outside of the departure hall. This is to help ensure that you join the correct queue. Look carefully at the signs to check you’re in the right place.

Comfortable clothing
Queueing is unavoidable in busy times like these. We therefore advise you to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. When queueing outside, you might want to have a jacket on. As soon as you join the queue inside, we recommend that you take your jacket off. That will save time at security. It is a good idea to bring a bottle of water with you. You are not required to throw your drink away at the security check; you can keep your bottle (max. 500ml) with you.

Checklist:

• Follow your airline’s advice
• Check in online
• Download the Schiphol app and search for your flight
• Check which check-in desk you need to be at to drop off your baggage
• Check the gate for your flight and where you need to queue for security
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes
• Take a jacket in case you need to queue up outside
• Bring a bottle of water with you (you can take it through security)
• Make sure you have something to do while you wait, like reading or a game

Other airports, such as Manchester, Dublin, Hamburg, Lubeck, Tours Val de Loire and London Gatwick, are suffering delays due to the same situation.

Passengers planning to fly into or out of the affected airports should contact their airline to confirm flight status.