Amsterdam Airport Schiphol - Ticket refund and compensation in case of flight delays and cancellations

Thunderstorms cause delay havoc at Amsterdam Airport

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is one of Europe’s top ten airports in terms of the number of passengers passing through its gates each year – more than 52 million. It is the main hub for Dutch Airline KLM and is a European hub for Delta Air Lines. It is situated 5.6 miles southwest of Amsterdam, about a twenty minute journey by train. More than 91 airlines use the airport, travelling to over 300 destinations. There are approximately 500 companies based on the site, employing more than 65,000 employees. The airport started life in 1916 as a military airport, with the first KLM passenger flight taking off in 1920. The 1928 Olympics in Holland were instrumental in the development of Schiphol as a major international hub, although it did not have a tarmac runway until 1938, which was the second in Europe.

The original airport was destroyed during the Second World War, suffering damage from both sides, the allies bombed the runways and German forces dynamited the buildings. This meant that an entirely new airport had to be built after the war was over. According to Flightright data, a total of 220806 flights were scheduled to depart from Amsterdam Airport in 2023. Of these, 4662 flights were cancelled, representing 2.11% of all scheduled flights. In addition, 944 flights experienced delays, accounting for 0.43% of the total.

Increasingly turbulent weather leads to flight delays at Amsterdam Airport

The rising frequency of electrical storms through the summer months is causing serious problems at Amsterdam Airport, leading to more regular flight delays and cancellations. When excessively bad weather hits the area, the airport has to shut down as the risk to ground crew from lightning strikes makes working outside too dangerous. Weather systems throughout Europe have been seeing a steady rise in energetic storm activity, which can only lead to more delays in the future.

The lowest of the low

The name Schiphol translates as ‘Ship Grave,’ a reference to the history of the land where the airport now stands which, like a considerable amount of the country, was reclaimed from the sea. The shallow waters that have been replaced were renowned for grounding ships during stormy weather. The airport is actually eleven feet below sea level at its lowest point, making it one of the lowest commercial airports in the world. As a result, the airport’s control tower is one of the tallest in the world at 331 feet.

Statistical Overview of Airlines at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in 2023

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol experienced a dynamic year in 2023 with several airlines showing varied performance metrics. The most active carrier was KLM, operating a total of 59,756 flights with 1,355 cancellations and 152 delays, reflecting a robust operational capacity with a moderate rate of cancellations and minimal delays. Following closely, KLM Cityhopper managed 57,822 flights, with 2,143 cancellations and 87 delays, indicating a slightly higher cancellation rate but fewer delays. Overall, the operational data from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in 2023 showcases a high level of airline activity with varying degrees of operational challenges.

Top 5 Airlines at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

This detailed report provides a comprehensive overview of the flight operations at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in 2023, highlighting both the overall airport performance and the specific performance of its busiest airlines. Based on Flightright data, Amsterdam airport reported 5606 incidents, which constituted 2.54% of flight operations.

Delay, cancellation, overbooking or missed connection flight? You are entitled to:

What rights do I have?

Under EU law, you can get up to 480£ compensation in the event of a delay, cancellation or overbooking of your flight.
This is true regardless of the ticket price and up to 6 years retrospectively. LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS 

What to do when delayed?

• gather information
• Take photos
• You are entitled to vouchers
• Keep documents from the airline, such as letters, tickets, vouchers

Recently cancelled or delayed flights at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Here you’ll find delays and cancellations at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol that could entitle you to financial compensation. Use our online calculator to check your entitlement to compensation and let Flightright do the rest of the work.

What rights do I have as a passenger if my flight is canceled due to a strike at Amsterdam Airport?

If your flight is planned to depart from Amsterdam and there is a strike at the airport, first check if your flight is affected by the cancellations due to the strike. According to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation, you are entitled to alternative transportation or a refund of the ticket price. In addition, you may be entitled to compensation if there are no extraordinary circumstances, and it is an internal airline strike. Contact your airline for further information regarding substitute transportation, rebooking, or ticket refund as well as on-site services such as meals and, if necessary, accommodation and transportation to the hotel.

Can I get compensation if my flight is delayed or canceled at Amsterdam due to a strike?

A flight cancellation or significant delay of more than three hours due to a strike is often considered an extraordinary circumstance, provided the strike is not within the control of the airline or its personnel. There is no entitlement to compensation in case of extraordinary circumstances. However, passengers should be aware of their rights to basic care and catering services at Amsterdam Airport. This includes meals, refreshments, and, if necessary, accommodation, depending on the duration of the delay and the flight distance. Also, important to know: If your flight is canceled because the airline staff is on strike, you are entitled to a refund of your ticket price, alternative transportation, on-site catering, and additional compensation.