Passengers expecting to board their plane for Amsterdam found themselves suddenly out of luck.
KLM, a Dutch airline, had made the radical decision to boot passengers off their flight…
… and instead fly empty planes back to Amsterdam.
Thousands of travelers were left stranded.
Apparently, things were so chaotic at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport – there just wasn’t any way to process anymore incoming travelers.
Schiphol was dealing with everything from staffing shortages, to backed up security lines, and even a damaged runway – all at the same time.
Clearly not prepared for the influx of summer travelers – airport execs had to make the most radical decision.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo reported:
“With passengers backed up and with nowhere to go at Schiphol, KLM took the “far-reaching” decision to stop bringing any more inbound passengers to the airport from European destinations in order to avoid a potentially dangerous overcrowding situation.
The airline did, however, still fly planes back to Amsterdam from European destinations, but without any passengers on board.”
Imagine arriving at your gate only to be told you’re not allowed to board the plane – but then watching an EMPTY plane take off for your destination.
Infuriating!
But things continued to get even worse.
Security was so backed up – Schiphol was warning passengers that if they wanted to actually make it through security and board their flight on time – they shouldn’t even bother checking a bag and should leave most of their luggage at home.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo continued:
“The airport is already struggling to deal with passenger numbers due to staff shortages, especially at security checkpoints.
Heading into the Whit Monday weekend, Schiphol officials asked passengers to leave luggage at home and travel with as little as possible to make the security screening process as quick as possible.”
Absolute insanity.
“Revenge Travel” may be back with a vengeance – but it’s clear airports aren’t prepared.
You think they’d have learned something from all the issues and staffing shortages they faced during the pandemic – and actually hire enough staff so things run efficiently.
But from the Schiphol disaster – we expect more airport vulnerabilities will be tested and exposed as travelers hit the skies.
So if you’re planning to travel this summer – be sure to arrive at the airport early – and don’t check a bag!
(h/t Proud American Traveler)