The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Schiphol Airport, Dick Benschop has resigned following a chaotic summer due to several flight cancellations and staff shortage post-pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, Schiphol Airport was the heart of aviation in the Netherlands and one of Europe's busiest airports. The airport handled a total of 5,386,520 passengers in December 2019, indicating how busy the operations had always been.
The pandemic restrictions set in Schiphol Airport severely affected the airport, forcing management to cut hundreds of jobs. But post-pandemic, the surge in passenger traffic caught the airport management off guard. Long passenger queues, and a shortage of security staff and baggage handlers, led to increased incidents of mishandled baggage adding to passenger woes. Passengers were paying the price for cancellations and delays that became almost a routine occurrence at the airport. The airport management faced criticism from the passengers, airlines, and the media for mismanagement of the entire situation.
A day after CEO’s resignation, the airport released an official statement in which Benschop said: “Schiphol is a special place and wonderful company; one of the most dynamic organisations in the Netherlands. Aviation is synonymous with many challenges and opportunities. How can we continue to develop sustainably? How can we find a new balance between nuisance and economic importance based on trust? Every big issue, which I will be happy to address on behalf of the Netherlands, passengers, airlines, and residents.”
As the airport management failed to restore pre-pandemic staff levels, the existing employees bore the brunt of excessive workload, long hours, and work stress. Soon the discontentment gave rise to incidents of mass resignations, walkouts, and strikes further worsening the situation.
In a statement released by the airport, Benschop acknowledges that he tried his best to salvage the situation but that those efforts fell short. He further goes on to say that the airport now needs a new leader to give the airport a new start. He said: “A lot of attention, and criticism has been directed towards how Schiphol is tackling the problems and my responsibility as CEO. I am giving Schiphol the space to make a new start on my own initiative. I do not want the attention on me as an individual to become an obstacle for Schiphol."
The Board of Directors is currently on the lookout for a new successor to tackle Schiphol's recovery, meanwhile the passenger woes and airline delays at the airport will unfortunately continue. Benschop will continue in office until his replacement takes over. The new CEO will have his hands full to try and restore the airport to its former glory and discipline.
Interestingly, the airport reported a profit of €65 million towards August end for the first six months of 2022.