Amsterdam Schiphol airport has launched a scheme to compensate passengers who have missed a flight as a result of long queues at security control.
The Dutch airport has seen ongoing disruption due to staff shortages and rising demand as travel bounces back following the Covid-19 pandemic.
The temporary scheme applies to passengers who arrived at the airport on time for flights between April 23 and August 11, but missed their flights due to lengthy waiting times.
Travellers can submit a compensation request via a form at schiphol.nl/compensation until September 30.
They can claim for costs including rebooking a flight, booking a replacement flight, extra travel costs, accommodation costs, along with “expenses for non-cancellable accommodation, transport or activities” at their destination. It stresses that the programme is not designed for flights that were cancelled or delayed.
Dick Benschop, CEO of the Schiphol Group, commented:
“A lot of people have really been looking forward to their holidays abroad, especially after two years of Covid. We’re extremely sorry that some people have missed their flight due to the long security control queue.
“They’ve had to miss out on all or part of their holiday, and we really sympathise with them. The broadcast of MAX Vakantieman and the appeal made by the Consumers’ Association has underscored this sentiment. During these special times and circumstances, we must not let these people fall through the cracks.”
Schiphol airport says that it will “assess any requests received on the basis of the terms and conditions that have been drawn up”. Those that have already submitted a claim do not have to do so again.
Sandra Molenaar, director of the Consumers’s Association, adds:
“We investigated the possibility of a mass claim and then entered into discussions with Schiphol. Our joint efforts have resulted in this arrangement, which has helped a large group of consumers.”
The airport recently announced plans to extend its cap on travellers departing from the airport for the months of September and October, following similar measures this summer.
To cope with demand, the airport has also said that 200 new security guards will be recruited this month and another 80 will be added to start in October. It added that passengers should arrive at the airport no more than four hours before their flights.
Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) introduced a similar scheme in June, reimbursing passengers for “reasonable out-of-pocket expenses” incurred.