“We are already expecting peak crowds this weekend. Similar to the period before corona,” said Schiphol spokesman Dennis Muller.
The country’s largest airport is suffering from staff shortages. “Due to the corona pandemic, many staff have stopped and started doing other work,” the spokesperson explains. “We are faced with too few people at the check-in counters and security.”
That has consequences. “Travellers will notice this especially during peak times, in the morning until 11 am and in the afternoon between 1 and 2 pm.” The entire May holiday is expected to be very busy. “On the really busy days, such as weekends, we may go towards 200,000 travelers.”
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Transavia, the largest holiday flyer, also expects peak crowds from this weekend. “We have scaled everything up as much as possible. We are completely ready, our planes are completely full,” says Transavia spokesman Claudia Metz.
Corona aftermath
Transavia is also suffering from the corona aftermath and suffered from significant staff loss. “We have recently hired five hundred new employees. Not everyone has been trained yet, but we are well on the way.”
Transavia has been preparing for the May holiday for weeks. “In recent weeks we had to cancel some flights,” the spokesperson acknowledges. “We can never completely rule out cancellations, but we don’t expect a massive outage at all. And when it comes to that, travelers will be told well in advance and we’ll arrange a solution.”
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The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, in charge of passport control, is also making every effort to cope with the expected peak crowds. “We are deploying extra Marechaussees during the May holidays. With this we hope to avoid long lines at passport controls,” said a spokesperson when asked.
But there are no hard guarantees. “Our work has to be done accurately. We make no concessions on safety. So the waiting time can certainly increase at busy times.”
Eindhoven Airport
The warning also sounds from Eindhoven Airport: peak crowds are expected, queues can increase. “We are also short of hands everywhere, so take into account more waiting times at the security check or the catering industry.”
Arrive well in time is the motto. “Preferably at least two and a half hours before departure,” says the spokesperson. Eindhoven airport has even started a special campaign to warn travelers about the crowds.
wear sneakers
A few tips: book a parking spot in advance, check in online, put on comfortable clothes (so sneakers, no heels), do not take things in your luggage that are not allowed in and have your passport ready at customs. “We are doing our very best, but we are also dependent on the cooperation of the passengers,” said the spokesperson.
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The May holiday is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season. At travel organization TUI, which offers full holiday trips, they see the crowds again as before corona time. “Destinations around the Mediterranean are the most popular. And Turkey is extremely popular this year,” says Petra Kok on behalf of TUI.
Come three hours before
Transavia recommends arriving three hours in advance for all flights. “Don’t come extremely early either, because that only creates extra crowds.”
The Schiphol spokesperson agrees: “If you arrive hours earlier, it will only cause unnecessary crowds. And the check-in counters are often not open yet. Keep an eye on our app and your travel information.”
face mask
TUI has set up an extra check-in option in collaboration with several airlines. “Due to the expected crowds, we organized it from April 22 to May 3 at P3. You can also check in your luggage there.”
One last tip for holidaymakers who are going to fly: don’t forget your mouth caps. These are still mandatory after the security check and in the aircraft.
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