- If you've missed a flight from Amsterdam Schiphol because you were stuck in a line, you could get compensation.
- The Dutch airport is offering compensation to people who missed their flight because of lines.
Amsterdam Schiphol — one of Europe's busiest airports — is offering compensation to people who arrived at the airport on time but missed their flight because of long lines for check-in and security.
Passengers can get compensation for rebooked flights, hotel accommodation, and meals at the airport, Schiphol said in a statement. The compensation only covers people who missed their flights purely due to the lines, and doesn't offer money to people affected by canceled and delayed flights.
"We understand the inconvenience caused by your missed flight and by the extra costs you incurred as a result of the security check queues at Schiphol," the airport said.
Passengers who had booked flights departing from Schiphol between April 23 and August 11 are eligible for the compensation if they arrived at the airport at the time specified by their airline, missed their flight "as a result of the unprecedented waiting times at security," and incurred costs that aren't being reimbursed by another party.
Passengers can request compensation for a replacement flight, including transport back to Schiphol or to another airport if applicable, or for travel to their destination by an alternative mode of transport.
They can also request compensation if they had to book accommodation at or near the airport, as well as compensation for non-refundable accommodation, transport, and activities at their destination.
To get the compensation, passengers have to provide evidence that they were at the airport on time. Schiphol says that this could be a parking ticket with time of entry, proof of check-out at the train station, a photo with time stamp, or a WhatsApp message. Passengers have to apply for compensation by September 30.
Schiphol said that if passengers get compensation then they won't be able to get future compensation from the airport for any additional or new costs or damages relating to the same missed flight.
Passenger numbers are almost back to pre pandemic levels, but airports and airlines don't have as many workers because of factors including layoffs, strikes, and resignations.
Schiphol said that "it hasn't been possible to have sufficient security staff available over the past weeks and months," causing huge lines for security.
"The current special situation is due to exceptional circumstances for which Schiphol is not to blame," it added. The airport has been urging customers to arrive no earlier than four hours before their flight in an effort to cut congestion.
It's not just long lines affecting passengers at Schiphol. In mid-July, "thousands" of checked-in suitcases were also left behind at the airport due to technical problems.
Schiphol has flights to about 300 destinations and is a major transfer hub, with almost 44% of its passengers changing planes at the airport last year.