How Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is evolving
In 2019, Schiphol had 71.7 million passengers with 496,833 flight movements to 333 destinations. In 2020, it was 20.9 million with 227,304 flight movements. The number of passengers was 71% lower. All of this was obviously due to the corona crisis.
Yet there are also new developments! In this blog I, Business Travel Consultant Mariska, would like to take you through some of these developments that will make traveling from Schiphol more comfortable, faster, more sustainable and more responsible in the coming years.
Short Connection Pass
For example, Schiphol developed the Short Connection Pass. This allows travelers with a short transfer time to pass through the queue at controls in an accelerated manner. In this way, Schiphol reduces the risk of delays with many transfer passengers on board.
Self Service Units
Another development is Self Service Units (SSU). Travelers expect more and faster service. Schiphol wants to help travelers in the terminal 24/7, 365 days a year with questions or problems. The information zones with the SSU are available in 17 languages. For example, you can scan your boarding pass here so you can see all the flight information at a glance. But there is also an option to video call a staff member in case of any problems.
Looking ahead smartly with Wilbur
One of the annoyances of travelers are the queues at security. Schiphol has developed Wilbur for this purpose. This is a real-time dashboard for the main control centers at the airport, which can be used to look up to four hours ahead at airport processes, among other things. This makes it possible to anticipate changes earlier, prevent long queues and deploy employees where they are needed most.
Notifly for local residents
In 2019, Schiphol launched a survey of information needs among residents. This revealed a high demand for the expected air traffic. Schiphol is therefore developing the app Notifly. With this app, residents of Schiphol can check the current and expected number of overflying aircraft up to 24 hours in advance. The final large-scale test is underway, after which the app can be improved and launched for Schiphol's neighbors.
Improve air quality
Air quality at and around Schiphol Airport is also of great importance. Both for the health of employees and that of local residents. That is why Schiphol is working hard to reduce nitrogen oxides, particulates and ultrafine dust. This can be done, for example, by offering free clean shore power when an aircraft is at the gate. Schiphol is also actively involved in various studies on air quality, including those conducted by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). They have also presented their own action plan to improve local air quality.
Preservation
For the future, making the airport more sustainable is one of the key issues. By 2050, Schiphol wants to be an autonomous airport. To this end, Schiphol has started a program: Autonomous Airside Operations. Besides sustainability, the aim is to make better use of the airport's capacity and guarantee safety. By 2050, all vehicles must be replaced by an interconnected fleet of self-driving (autonomous), emission-free vehicles and all related processes will be automated. See here the animation of what this development is expected to look like.
Let us hope that Schiphol Airport will soon fill up again with a large number of travelers heading to various destinations around the world. Various developments are also taking place worldwide to make travel future-proof. After reading this blog also curious about these developments? Then also read our blog: The airport of the future.
Travel Well!
Mariska Ossewaarde
Business Travel Consultant
Sources consulted:
- https://www.schiphol.nl/nl/innovatie/pagina/short-connection-pass/
- https://www.schiphol.nl/nl/innovatie/pagina/de-vooruitziende-blik-van-wilbur/
- https://www.schiphol.nl/nl/innovatie/pagina/self-service-units/
- https://www.schiphol.nl/nl/innovatie/pagina/notifly-het-verwachte-vliegverkeer-in-jouw-omgeving/
- https://www.schiphol.nl/nl/schiphol-als-buur/pagina/actieplan-ultrafijnstof/
