I flew from one of Europe's busiest airports. Staff shortages meant I had to queue for 90 minutes just to drop my bags off and get through security.

Grace DeanJun 28, 2022, 08:55 IST

A sign at the airport said that customers face longer lines than usual "due to crowds and staff shortages."Grace Dean/Insider

I flew from Schiphol, Amsterdam's massive airport that's ranked as one of the busiest in Europe.
I queued for 90 minutes to drop my bag off and get through security because of staff shortages.

I flew from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands' biggest airport and one of the five busiest in Europe, on Thursday, June 9.

The exterior of Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam,Grace Dean/Insider

My flight took me from Schiphol to Gatwick, which is around 25 miles south of London. I'd flown from Schiphol before, but I'd never seen it so busy.

A row of houses in Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

My airline, EasyJet, emailed me two days before my flight, saying: "There may be delays at the airport security control before your flight and we recommend that you arrive at AMS airport 3 hours before your flight time." I followed this advice, arriving at the airport, which is south-west of the city center, three hours before the flight was due to depart at 7:10 p.m. local time.

The exterior of Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam,Grace Dean/Insider

My airline, EasyJet, emailed me two days before my flight, saying: "There may be delays at the airport security control before your flight and we recommend that you arrive at AMS airport 3 hours before your flight time." I followed this advice, arriving at the airport, which is south-west of the city center, three hours before the flight was due to depart at 7:10 p.m. local time.

There were dozens of flights departing from the airport that day. The airport says that it has direct flights to almost 300 destinations and that 19.9 million passengers flew to or from Schiphol in the second half of 2021. The vast majority flew with KLM, the Netherlands' flagship carrier.

Departure boards in Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

There were dozens of flights departing from the airport that day. The airport says that it has direct flights to almost 300 destinations and that 19.9 million passengers flew to or from Schiphol in the second half of 2021. The vast majority flew with KLM, the Netherlands' flagship carrier.

Photos shared on social media over recent weeks have shown huge lines of customers waiting to pass through security at various airports because of labor shortages coupled with a surge in the number of people flying. Some passengers have been arriving hours in advance of their flight to ensure they don't miss it. Signs inside Schiphol told people not to arrive more than four hours before their flight.

A sign in Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

Photos shared on social media over recent weeks have shown huge lines of customers waiting to pass through security at various airports because of labor shortages coupled with a surge in the number of people flying. Some passengers have been arriving hours in advance of their flight to ensure they don't miss it. Signs inside Schiphol told people not to arrive more than four hours before their flight.

The entrance downstairs didn't seem too busy. I headed over to bag drop and security for passengers flying from gates in the airport's third departure lounge.

The interior of Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

But when I got up there I was confronted with a huge line of passengers queueing to drop off bags at the EasyJet desk. Most of the counters at the desk were closed.

The queue for bag drop at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

Despite the airline telling people to arrive at the airport around three hours before their flight, a screen by the EasyJet check-in desk said that check-in wouldn't actually open until two hours before the flight departed. There were no members of staff round to ask, so I just decided to join the line anyway.

Check-in boards in Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

Despite the airline telling people to arrive at the airport around three hours before their flight, a screen by the EasyJet check-in desk said that check-in wouldn't actually open until two hours before the flight departed. There were no members of staff round to ask, so I just decided to join the line anyway.

It took about half an hour for me to get to the front of the line and drop my suitcase off ...

The queue for bag drop at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

... after which I was redirected to another line.

The queue for scanning boarding passes at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

This was to scan our boarding passes before going through security. I'd never had to queue like this before just to join the line for security.

The queue for scanning boarding passes at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

After this, I was led to my third line. A sign said that customers face longer lines than usual "due to crowds and staff shortages."

The queue for security at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

"This feels like a queue for a really shit rollercoaster," the person behind me in the queue said.

The queue for security at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

Schiphol had around 62,000 employees in 2021, but is currently struggling to find staff and had to hold a job fair earlier this month. "The waiting times at Schiphol have been extremely long in recent weeks, due in part to a shortage of staff throughout the sector," it says on its website. "Ongoing shortages on the labor market have led to a high demand for personnel." A spokesperson told Insider that the airport's operations were "busy, but manageable."

The interior of Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

Schiphol had around 62,000 employees in 2021, but is currently struggling to find staff and had to hold a job fair earlier this month. "The waiting times at Schiphol have been extremely long in recent weeks, due in part to a shortage of staff throughout the sector," it says on its website. "Ongoing shortages on the labor market have led to a high demand for personnel." A spokesperson told Insider that the airport's operations were "busy, but manageable."

Despite how busy the airport was, the staff at security were friendly and efficient.

The queue for security at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

The security counters themselves looked quite futuristic.

The security desks at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

We didn't have to take out liquids and electronics out of our cabin bags and I was also allowed to take through my half-full water bottle, which had never happened to me before.

A sign in Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

We didn't have to take out liquids and electronics out of our cabin bags and I was also allowed to take through my half-full water bottle, which had never happened to me before.

After your bags were scanned, staff sent them down a two-channel conveyor belt: One for bags that needed a closer inspection, and one for bags that didn't. I'd never seen a belt like this in an airport before. It made the process quicker.

The security desks at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

After your bags were scanned, staff sent them down a two-channel conveyor belt: One for bags that needed a closer inspection, and one for bags that didn't. I'd never seen a belt like this in an airport before. It made the process quicker.

I'd thought that I'd already been through the final line, but I had one more queue to go. This time it was for passport checks and stamps.

The queue to have passports checked at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

In total, I'd spent 90 minutes waiting in line.

The queue for scanning boarding passes at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

But because I'd got there early, this meant I still had another 90 minutes before my flight departed to explore the terminal. "We are aware of longer than usual security delays at Amsterdam airport currently and so are advising customers due to fly from Amsterdam to allow additional time to make their way through the airport," an EasyJet spokesperson told Insider, adding that it was "outside of our control."

Departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

But because I'd got there early, this meant I still had another 90 minutes before my flight departed to explore the terminal. "We are aware of longer than usual security delays at Amsterdam airport currently and so are advising customers due to fly from Amsterdam to allow additional time to make their way through the airport," an EasyJet spokesperson told Insider, adding that it was "outside of our control."

Despite the huge queues for check-in and security, the departure lounge really didn't seem too busy. There was a big line for the Jamie Oliver restaurant, though.

Departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

What surprised me was that so many of the concessions in the airport were closed. It was only around 5:30 p.m. and there were dozens of flights still due to depart that day.

A closed concession stand in departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

What surprised me was that so many of the concessions in the airport were closed. It was only around 5:30 p.m. and there were dozens of flights still due to depart that day.

Even one of the Starbucks' was closed.

A closed concession stand in departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

The Rijksmuseum — one of Amsterdam's busiest and most famous museums — has a gift shop in Schiphol, but this too was closed.

A closed concession stand in departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

There was still a lot to do while you waited for your flight, though. As well as €2 ($2.10) massage chairs, various types of seats, and even some individual workspaces, the airport had its own so-called library.

The library in departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

There was still a lot to do while you waited for your flight, though. As well as €2 ($2.10) massage chairs, various types of seats, and even some individual workspaces, the airport had its own so-called library.

This was home to books about Dutch culture, which a sign said were available in more than 40 languages.

The library in departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

Alongside Dutch, signs around the airport were listed in English, as is the case in many major European airports. Some of the signs didn't even have any writing in Dutch.

Departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

Alongside Dutch, signs around the airport were listed in English, as is the case in many major European airports. Some of the signs didn't even have any writing in Dutch.

The strangest thing for me was that Schiphol is one of a growing number of silent airports. This means that announcements aren't made over the loudspeaker telling passengers which flights have started boarding or calling for late passengers. Compared to other airports I'd been to, Schiphol didn't seem to have as many departure screens, either.

Departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

The strangest thing for me was that Schiphol is one of a growing number of silent airports. This means that announcements aren't made over the loudspeaker telling passengers which flights have started boarding or calling for late passengers. Compared to other airports I'd been to, Schiphol didn't seem to have as many departure screens, either.

For me, this was a little unsettling. I was worried I'd miss boarding for my flight because of the lack of announcements, and the restaurant I'd gone to for a drink didn't have any screens, meaning I couldn't easily check whether passengers were being called to the gate.

Departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

For me, this was a little unsettling. I was worried I'd miss boarding for my flight because of the lack of announcements, and the restaurant I'd gone to for a drink didn't have any screens, meaning I couldn't easily check whether passengers were being called to the gate.

But overall, the mood in the airport was quite calm.

Departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

It wasn't crowded, everything was incredibly clean, and the facilities were very sleek and modern.

Departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

There was artwork dotted throughout the airport, too, like this sculpture of a giant apple.

A sculpture in Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

My flight ended up being a little late. Passengers were told to head to the gate at around 6:50 p.m. and there was a long line to board the plane. By 7:10 p.m., the scheduled departure time for the flight, most passengers still hadn't boarded. But in the end, we only arrived into Gatwick 10 minutes late.

The line to board my flight at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

My flight ended up being a little late. Passengers were told to head to the gate at around 6:50 p.m. and there was a long line to board the plane. By 7:10 p.m., the scheduled departure time for the flight, most passengers still hadn't boarded. But in the end, we only arrived into Gatwick 10 minutes late.

Despite the long lines for check-in and boarding, I was still impressed by the airport. It seemed modern and futuristic. Though I found the lack of announcements a bit unsettling, I can imagine that other passengers would have found a constant stream of announcements overwhelming.

Departure lounge three at Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.Grace Dean/Insider

Despite the long lines for check-in and boarding, I was still impressed by the airport. It seemed modern and futuristic. Though I found the lack of announcements a bit unsettling, I can imagine that other passengers would have found a constant stream of announcements overwhelming.

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I flew from one of Europe's busiest airports. Staff shortages meant I had to queue for 90 minutes just to drop my bags off and get through security.

I flew from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands' biggest airport and one of the five busiest in Europe, on Thursday, June 9.

My flight took me from Schiphol to Gatwick, which is around 25 miles south of London. I'd flown from Schiphol before, but I'd never seen it so busy.

There were dozens of flights departing from the airport that day. The airport says that it has direct flights to almost 300 destinations and that 19.9 million passengers flew to or from Schiphol in the second half of 2021. The vast majority flew with KLM, the Netherlands' flagship carrier.

The entrance downstairs didn't seem too busy. I headed over to bag drop and security for passengers flying from gates in the airport's third departure lounge.

But when I got up there I was confronted with a huge line of passengers queueing to drop off bags at the EasyJet desk. Most of the counters at the desk were closed.

It took about half an hour for me to get to the front of the line and drop my suitcase off ...

... after which I was redirected to another line.

This was to scan our boarding passes before going through security. I'd never had to queue like this before just to join the line for security.

After this, I was led to my third line. A sign said that customers face longer lines than usual "due to crowds and staff shortages."

"This feels like a queue for a really shit rollercoaster," the person behind me in the queue said.

Despite how busy the airport was, the staff at security were friendly and efficient.

The security counters themselves looked quite futuristic.

We didn't have to take out liquids and electronics out of our cabin bags and I was also allowed to take through my half-full water bottle, which had never happened to me before.

After your bags were scanned, staff sent them down a two-channel conveyor belt: One for bags that needed a closer inspection, and one for bags that didn't. I'd never seen a belt like this in an airport before. It made the process quicker.

I'd thought that I'd already been through the final line, but I had one more queue to go. This time it was for passport checks and stamps.

In total, I'd spent 90 minutes waiting in line.

Despite the huge queues for check-in and security, the departure lounge really didn't seem too busy. There was a big line for the Jamie Oliver restaurant, though.

What surprised me was that so many of the concessions in the airport were closed. It was only around 5:30 p.m. and there were dozens of flights still due to depart that day.

Even one of the Starbucks' was closed.

The Rijksmuseum — one of Amsterdam's busiest and most famous museums — has a gift shop in Schiphol, but this too was closed.

There was still a lot to do while you waited for your flight, though. As well as €2 ($2.10) massage chairs, various types of seats, and even some individual workspaces, the airport had its own so-called library.

This was home to books about Dutch culture, which a sign said were available in more than 40 languages.

Alongside Dutch, signs around the airport were listed in English, as is the case in many major European airports. Some of the signs didn't even have any writing in Dutch.

For me, this was a little unsettling. I was worried I'd miss boarding for my flight because of the lack of announcements, and the restaurant I'd gone to for a drink didn't have any screens, meaning I couldn't easily check whether passengers were being called to the gate.

But overall, the mood in the airport was quite calm.

It wasn't crowded, everything was incredibly clean, and the facilities were very sleek and modern.

There was artwork dotted throughout the airport, too, like this sculpture of a giant apple.

Despite the long lines for check-in and boarding, I was still impressed by the airport. It seemed modern and futuristic. Though I found the lack of announcements a bit unsettling, I can imagine that other passengers would have found a constant stream of announcements overwhelming.