Hundreds-meter-long queues at Schiphol as passengers seek help after cancellations
There are long queues at the KLM helpdesk at Schiphol Airport, according to ANP; the queues are hundreds of meters long. The KLM phone lines are also overloaded due to an exceptionally high volume of requests. The snow and hard winds have led to hundreds of flights being canceled or delayed. Almost 475 flights were cancelled in and out of Schiphol, including hundreds of flights operated by KLM, the largest airline at the airport.
As of 11:30 a.m., airlines operating at Schiphol Airport cancelled 225 departures beginning at the start of operations on Tuesday, and another 248 arriving flights were scrapped. Some 85 outbound flights were facing delays, sometimes running several hours, as were 143 inbound flights, according to the airport’s website.
An ANP photographer reported that some people in the queue have decided to take a nap on their suitcases. One passenger told the photographer that he had been in the queue for 32 hours. Any people trying to join the queue have been told to go to the hotel and phone the airline instead.
Airlines at the European Union’s second-largest airport have been asked to slash 60 percent of scheduled flights on Tuesday, as flight departures continue to be held back while waiting for de-icing services. This is expected to continue at least until 8 p.m., and will worsen if more adverse weather conditions arrive, said European air traffic center Eurocontrol in an 11 a.m. bulletin.
The Red Cross sent several volunteers to Schiphol on Monday night, and is in continuous contact with both the airport at the Kennemerland regional emergency services office, a spokesperson told NL Times. Those present helped deliver food and warm drinks, and were available to provide first aid and other support services, if needed, she continued.
The organization’s efforts were not requested on Tuesday morning, but they are ready to mobilize if needed.
“Due to limited capacity across airlines, crew scheduling adjustments, and operational constraints caused by the weather, rebooking is taking longer than usual. Please be assured that our teams are working around the clock to get you to your destination as soon as possible,” KLM said on its website.
The airline has recommended that passengers seek alternative transportation if necessary. Passengers who choose to do this are also eligible for reimbursement of up to 25 euros per person for a meal, and up to 50 euros for transport to and from the airport.
