Airport Protocol: existing and additional measures in the event that air traffic increases

Summary

The Dutch Government today announced the complete overview of measures taken by airports and airlines, in the event of a further increase in air traffic. Various airlines are expanding their scheduled flights to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Therefore Schiphol expects an rise in passenger traffic over the coming period. In order to continue to travel safely and responsibly, Schiphol has recently taken many measures in the field of hygiene, keeping a distance of 1.5-metres and passenger communication. Those measures will be maintained. These measures are based on the protocols drawn up by the airlines and airports, in close consultation with the government, the aviation sector and the safety regions involved.

Safe and responsible travel
Passengers are asked to observe the following rules when they come to the airport – do not come if you have health complaints, maintain 1.5 metres of distance and observe the hygiene rules. In addition, passengers will be required to wear a face mask in specific parts of the airport from Monday 15 Jun. These parts of the airport are areas where the 1.5-metre distancing measures cannot be guaranteed at all times and is partially due to the internationally established requirements related to the safety and security of the airport. In practice, these areas include check-in, security, border processes and boarding areas, where wearing a face mask will be required as an additional measure for all passengers. These areas will be clearly indicated within the airport. Schiphol follows the guidelines of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) for these specific locations at the airport, and RIVM advises on this. Employees at Schiphol will also wear a mask in those places as of 15 June. Travellers must ensure that they carry or purchase the mouth masks.

Additional measures
In addition to the face mask rules stipulated above, Schiphol will also introduce several other measures on 15 June to ensure safe and responsible travel:

Passengers will be required to carry a Health Declaration from Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), which they must be able to show upon request
Schiphol will also deploy health observers, workers who will walk around the terminal to identify any potential symptoms among passengers and staff
Schiphol once again requests that everyone other than travellers refrain from entering the terminal or Schiphol Plaza. For pick-ups or drop-offs: do not follow passengers inside unless absolutely necessary. Schiphol asks that those dropping someone off do so in front of Departures or wait in the car park when picking someone up.

Existing measures
Schiphol has already introduced various hygiene, social distancing (the 1½-metre rule), personal protection and communication measures in line with official government recommendations. For example, the airport was fitted with stickers and markings to indicate the appropriate distance between travellers. Plastic screen guards have been installed at all check-in, transfer, ticket desks and other service points. Every second check-in desk and gate will be used, where possible. Baggage trolleys will also be positioned at a 1.5-metre distance at the baggage belts, and the baggage from each flight will be routed to a separate belt. Airport facilities will be carefully cleaned, especially in areas that will be used by a large number of people.Those areas include the trays at Security Control and amenities. Hand sanitiser dispensers have been installed at many locations throughout the airport.

Airlines
New protocols have also been created for measures that apply to airlines and on-board planes. For example, it is mandatory to wear non-medical face masks on board a flight.

Increase in passengers
Some 10,000 passengers and over 200 flights have departed from or arrived at Schiphol since early June. That number is projected to increase to 30-40,000 passengers per week, to a max of around 350 flights. These developments will depend on several factors, such airlines gradually resuming service, and whether or not particular countries reopen their borders. The airport welcomed over 210,000 passengers and 1,450 flights daily over the same period last year.