KLM stops sales of Amsterdam tickets in response to staff shortage

The flag carrier of the Netherlands KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has capped the sale of flights from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in response to an acute shortage of airport security staff. 

The reduction in traffic will create spare capacity for customers who miss their booked departure because of delays triggered by the shortage in airport security staff. 

Modern problems require modern solutions

The changes will be operational from this Sunday and will last until next Monday. Only those flying with KLM from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (which also serves as a hub for the Dutch airline) will be affected. 

KLM cancelled hundreds of flights in recent weeks because of the lack of security staff and cleaners, worsened by a labour dispute at the airport which saw the baggage handlers at Schiphol Airport walk out on strike on 23rd April. Schiphol Airport itself has been suffering from long queues for almost a month. With the busy summer season quickly approaching, KLM has taken matters into its own hands by stopping the sale of departure tickets. 

Passengers who miss their flights because of delays will be able to catch an alternative flight to their original destination by keeping some seats free. 

KLM spokesperson Gerrie Brand said:

“KLM is putting a brake on ticket sales for flights leaving up until and including Sunday because Schiphol can’t get its security problems fixed. The cap on ticket sales is needed to accommodate those who had missed their flights due to the chaos at the airport.”

Struggles regarding staff shortages and a hefty surge in demand post-pandemic over the Easter break suffocating airlines and airports have been experienced in recent weeks in the UK, but it is not a UK exclusive issue. 

Mid-April saw major American low-cost airline JetBlue cut its summer capacity due to staff shortages and this week saw Alaska Airlines’ CEO Ben Minicucci apologise publicly via a YouTube video for frustrating delays and cancellations. 

Travellers on premium bookings may have been pleased to discover that these preemptive restrictions do not apply to them. 

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