Netherlands: Concerns about long queues at Schiphol

The head of Schiphol airport says staff shortages and faulty automatic gates may lead to hour-long queues for security checks at peak travel season, from late April. Jos Nijhuis, CE of Schiphol said: ‘Despite our urgent requests to the ministry of security and the military police, there are still no solutions to staff shortages and failing gates for automated passport scanning.’ He proposed that the military police, responsible for border controls, should be diverted back to this task instead of performing other jobs. Nijhuis said the problem would be particularly acute in non-Schengen areas in the airport, where passengers have to show their passports. ”If it doesn’t flow properly, there are also queues in the central security lanes. Travellers who have to transfer will also be negatively affected.” <br/>