Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is extending its passenger cap through October
In line with other European powerhouses such as London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) has just announced it will extend its passenger cap. Originally slated to end this month, the cap will now run into October.
Previously, the limit on air passengers leaving its terminals had been set at 67,500 per day for July before it was increased to 73,000 for August to accommodate the peak of the school holidays.
However, the daily passenger limit is set to drop again in September to just 67,500, before rising slightly to 69,500 in October.
Why would the passenger cap be so much lower post-summer than during the peak of it? Well, the airport staff estimates there will be 3,500 too many flyers "in and around the two weeks of the autumn holidays." They also expect further holdups over autumn due to the "seasonal effect."
"Travelers use more bins at security control after the summer because they wear more clothes, such as coats, hiking boots and vests," an airport spokesperson explained. "As a result, it takes a little longer to check all the hand baggage and the passengers."
As Schiphol gears up for a hectic four months, it's expanding up its security arm with 200 new personnel this month; the airport will add another 80 employees to its security detail in October.
"Sticking to a maximum number of departing passengers also helps cope with operational changes, such as a delayed flight arrival or departure," a spokesperson for the airport added. "Virtually all parties at the airport are understaffed, and any unexpected changes can result in delays to the entire airport process at Schiphol."
Due to staff strikes — as well as the recent European heat wave — delays and cancellations at Schiphol have been ever-present. Plus, traffic has increased since many countries around the globe eased COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year.
Related: Heathrow's controversial flight cap could be extended until next year
Further chaos erupted a few weeks ago when a baggage system failure at the airport meant some KLM passengers were unable to check bags, causing pandemonium for thousands of journeys.
When the initial cap took effect last month, airlines operating in Amsterdam simply weren't ready; the airport gave some of them an ultimatum to switch to smaller aircraft or leave seats empty.
Back in June, the Dutch government announced grand plans to reduce flights at the country's busiest airport from 500,000 to 440,00 annually starting in 2023 in order to combat air pollution. (We looked into how practical this could be.)
At its peak, without caps, Schiphol delivers an average of 1,250 flights per day. Overall, the reduction would shrink flights at the European hub by around 11% — a considerable dent in the figures of Europe's third-largest airport.
Presently, officials in Amsterdam have told passengers that they should arrive at the airport no more than four hours before their flight. Just remember to keep those sweaters down to a minimum, all right?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees