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?
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.