KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is forced to artificially limit the number of seats on sale on its “home” flights due to a significant shortage of staff at Amsterdam Airport.
In recent weeks, Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport has experienced major disruptions to flight schedules, mainly due to a lack of security personnel. The pace of rehiring of employees laid off during the pandemic has not kept pace with the recovery in traffic.
Interestingly, the airline limits sales only in economy class, but the “business” is ready to sell, if there are seats, until departure.
It comes to the point that Schipol managers advise passengers not to even come to the airport without obtaining consent from the airlines. The latter is forced to delay and cancel more and more flights. The Royal Schipol Group, which runs the airport, infuriated carriers when it asked them to cut their schedules ahead of time as the airport couldn’t keep up with demand.
However, the leadership of Schipol says that the plan for solving the personnel situation is ready. It includes pay increases and benefits for security personnel.
But, according to the leaders of the air harbor, passengers are often to blame, as they do not comply with safety rules, such as restrictions on liquids, and are sent for additional screening. To reduce delays at security checkpoints, airlines “should reduce the amount of carry-on baggage allowed to passengers.”