The boss of Amsterdam Schiphol airport is stepping down following months of flight disruption.
Chief executive Dick Benschop has resigned after four years but will stay on until a replacement has been found.
Travellers have suffered from long queues for months due to a shortage of security and baggage handling staff and this week officials again urged airlines to cancel flights because of the problems.
On Monday the airport asked several airlines to make cancellations for seven hours from 4pm due to security staff shortages.
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Benschop said: “A lot of attention, and criticism, has been directed towards the way in which Schiphol is tackling the problems and my responsibility as CEO.
“On my own initiative, I am giving Schiphol the space to make a new start. I do not want the attention on me as an individual to become an obstacle for Schiphol.
“The situation at Schiphol and what that means for our travellers and employees is close to my heart. I have done my very best, but we’re not there yet. I hope that things improve soon.”
But new restrictions for the next few weeks are poised to be announced at the Dutch hub, with local media reporting that airlines could be requested to cut schedules bays much as 18%.
Latest figures for August show that the airport handled 5.3 million passengers, down from 6.8 million in the same month in pre-pandemic 2019, with a 16% reduction in the number of flights.
Airport chair Jaap Winter said: “Due to the situation and the ongoing bad news, the supervisory board has had very intensive contact with Schiphol’s management in recent months.
“All possibilities for improvement were and continue to be discussed.
“Under Dick’s leadership, far-reaching measures were taken to stabilise the situation at Schiphol.
“Improvements were made during the summer, but this isn’t enough. Further intervention in the capacity and management of the security companies is necessary.
“As a national and international airport, Schiphol must return to offering the quality of service that passengers and airlines are accustomed to.
“In recent years, Dick has shifted Schiphol’s course to focus on quality, care for the living environment and speeding up the process of making aviation more sustainable. We are very grateful for his leadership. We respect and understand Dick’s decision to resign. We hope to quickly find a successor.
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