Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, which had endless baggage delays a couple of years ago and ongoing issues over proposed flight limits, now faces the possibility of serious problems on days when there are strong southerly winds.
That’s because of needed runway maintenance which can’t be postponed to the ‘off season.’ The Dutch air traffic control agency told the newspaper Telegraaf that “in principle” the runways will be usable at full capacity over the summer, but that shifts in which runway is in use because of the repair work could trigger problems.
The work is scheduled to take place on a runway called Zwanenburgbaan, leaving only two others—Oostbaan and Buiternvelderbaan—available. Telegraaf quoted aviation experts that “The chance of wind is different in every season, and summer is the best time for this maintenance. But if there is a strong southerly wind or a summer storm, this will lead to serious delays and possible cancellations because this runway cannot be used optimally.”
