31
December
2019
|
07:07
Europe/Amsterdam
2019 in pictures
Summary
Another year has flown by! Here’s a bird’s-eye view of our year.
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Ice-cold beginnings
In January, the Netherlands was covered under a thick layer of snow. Our ‘polar bears’ were there to ensure that air traffic was affected as little as possible.
Boeing on the motorway
After months of preparations, a Boeing 747 was moved to Corendon Village Hotel in Amsterdam via 17 ditches, meadows, multiple bridges and the A9 motorway.
Investments in electrical
This year we invested in sustainable raw materials for aircraft handling. Electrical Ground Power Units on the ground will provide energy to aircraft from now on. This purchase is in line with the Smart&Sustainable action plan and the climate agreement.
Athletes at Schiphol
In March we welcomed the top Dutch athletes who won 68 medals during the Special Olympics World Games. Other champions were also welcomed home in style, such as the women’s football and handball teams!
Runway 18C-36C closed
From 10 March until 21 April, 200 workers performed major maintenance on Runway 18C-36C, in shift teams 24 hours per day.
Schiphol Airside Run
Go for a 3,300-metre run on Runway 18C-36C? This was possible during the above-mentioned major maintenance. We decided to organise a Schiphol Airside Run for all airport employees and neighbours. A great way to combine sports and spotting!
Neighbour Days
In April local residents of all ages joined us on our annual Schiphol Neighbour Days. Neighbours were invited onto Runway 18C-36C where they were given a unique look behind the scenes.
Ajax in the house
They almost made it to the Champions League finale. The closer the team got, the busier things were at the airport. After each away game, the press and excited fans gave them a warm welcome.
The year in food and drinks
It’s getting easier and easier to get healthy food at Schiphol. In 2019 we opened a Yoghurt Barn, the Health Food Wall and Eggs&Co. to name a few. The Verspillingsfabriek (waste factory) gives a second life to lost vegetables.
Eurovision festivities
We are so proud of Duncan for doing the unthinkable and winning Eurovision for the Netherlands in Tel Aviv this year! He received a hero’s welcome at the airport. Next year, the Netherlands will host the major international song contest. We’ve already begun preparations.
Fuel malfunction
Unfortunately, not everything was great in 2019. The 24th of July was a less than stellar day, due to a malfunction in the fuel supply, which led to delays and cancellations.
Passenger bridge
This year, Schiphol and KLM started to use the world’s first fully-automatic double passenger bridge, which attaches automatically in under a minute. This further reduces the time between the arrival and departure of aircraft.
Schiphol Fire Service celebrates 70th anniversary
A special year for the Schiphol Fire Service, who were allowed to blow out (or extinguish) 70 candles! The engine and the landing gear of the fire service’s practice aircraft (called the FireFly) were also replaced in 2019.
Hip hip hoorray for KLM!
KLM’s 100th birthday was celebrated in style this year. A Boeing 787, the first 100-year livery, landed at Schiphol at the end of June and a party was hosted for departing passengers at the 375 KLM flights.
Panorama closed... and open again
Aviation enthusiasts were given bad news this year: due to construction, the Panorama Terrace was closed indefinitely on 1 March. The 23rd of October was an exciting day for spotters: the Panorama Terrace was back in business!
A day filled with both tears and laughter
Former Schiphol employee Jacco is seriously ill and had only one wish: to go on the apron one last time. In close cooperation with the Ambulance Wens wish foundation, we organised an unforgettable day for him at Schiphol.
