Amsterdam’s Airport Schiphol experienced widespread disruption on Monday as severe security queues and new border control procedures led to extensive delays, passenger panic, and missed flights.
Out of 679 scheduled departures, 279 flights were delayed as long lines formed at security checkpoints across the airport. In some departure halls, passengers queued between and around check-in counters, while access gates were temporarily closed to prevent overcrowding. Travellers described scenes of confusion and anxiety, with some reporting that people were “in blind panic” over fears of missing their flights.
The problems coincided with a major restructuring of Schiphol’s security operations. As of Monday, the airport reduced the number of security contractors from five to three, with newly created companies — partly owned by Schiphol itself — taking over operations. Around 4,000 security employees changed employers as part of a €6 billion, 10-year contract overhaul intended to give Schiphol greater operational control and avoid a repeat of the notorious summer 2022 staffing crisis.
However, passengers and operational sources reported severe understaffing and procedural confusion during the transition. In Departure Hall 2, fewer than half of the screening lanes were reportedly open, while in Departure Hall 3, only two of seven lanes were operating for part of the day. Sources cited differences in working methods, corporate cultures, and scheduling systems between the new security firms as contributing factors.
The airport declined to confirm directly whether the new security structure caused the disruptions, saying it was still assessing the situation. Schiphol described the circumstances as “unfortunate” and said extra office staff had been deployed while water was distributed to passengers waiting in line.
Additional congestion also affected transfer passengers arriving from outside the Schengen area due to the rollout of the European Entry/Exit System (EES), which requires biometric registration before onward travel.
Dutch carrier KLM warned that the security issues could lead to delays and urged passengers to arrive early and monitor flight updates closely.
Labour union FNV had previously warned that the contractor transition risked creating operational instability and continuing high workload pressures for security staff.
Schiphol currently advises travellers to arrive at least two hours before European flights and three hours before intercontinental departures.