The Netherlands: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to close runway for maintenance

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is expected to close one of its runways for three weeks as it undertakes major maintenance and refurbishment. The airport authorities will close runway 18R-36L from March 25 to April 15, during which time the traffic normally using 18R-36L will be distributed over Schiphol’s four other runways. Runway 18R-36L is the most heavily used of Schiphol’s runways. It is used daily for takeoffs and landings, including the heaviest aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. This time of year has been chosen for the work to take advantage of what is usually a spell of good weather, with little frost. It will also allow the runway to be back in commission before the start of the busy summer season. The work will include repairs to asphalt, renewing lighting, updating and touching-up markings, performing structural renovations of two runway stations, as well as applying 500 meters of new asphalt across the entire runway width. The asphalt on the taxiway leading to 18R-36L will also be repaired, and a field located adjacent to the runway station will be equipped with a drainage system and re-profiled for proper drainage. Work will continue on a 24-hour basis to allow it to be completed as swiftly as possible.<br/>