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Schiphol Airport Photo by Bram Steeman

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Schiphol Airport is are public Airport, located in Haarlemmermeer, Netherlands, owned by Royal Schiphol Group. It was opened on September 16, 1916, and covers a total area of 6,887 acres of land. The Airport is built on the single-terminal concept, with one large terminal split into three large departure halls.

Schiphol Airport is the main International airport in the Netherlands. It is located 9 kilometres southwest of Amsterdam. It is the world’s third busiest airport by international passenger traffic in 2021. It is also the third busiest airport in Europe in terms of passenger volume and the busiest in Europe in terms of aircraft movements.

The end of the First World War also saw the beginning of civilian use of Schiphol Airport and the airport eventually lost its military role completely. Schiphol had four asphalt runways at 45-degree angles by 1940. The airport was captured by the German military and was renamed Fliegerhorst Schiphol. It was destroyed through bombing but was rebuilt immediately after the war.

Let’s look at the top 10 facts about Amsterdam Schiphol Airport:

1. Schiphol Lies at the Bottom of What was Once Haarlemmer Lake

The Haarlemmer Lake was drained in 1852, but the first aircraft landed at Schiphol on September 16, 1916. This proves that the airport lies on the bottom of the lake, over four meters below sea level.

Despite the expansions, Schiphol Airport has never moved from its original location, where it was first located. This makes Schiphol not only one of the world’s most low-lying airports but also the oldest to occupy the same location.

2. Schiphol Group Received an Honorary “Royal” Title in 2016

Schiphol Group is the owner or group that looks after and maintains the Airport. It is the group that ensures all activities run as expected and rules are followed within the Airport. The Schiphol Group was awarded a royal seal in 2016.

It was given to them by His Majesty Willem Alexander during100-years Anniversary Celebration. A crown was added to the company logo and since then they got a new name, they are referred to as Royal Schiphol Group.

Royal Schiphol Group has four owners namely: the state of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and last but not the list Groupe.

3. Schiphol has a Special Training Plane for Firefighters

The Amsterdam Schiphol Airplane offers special training for plane firefighters this is one of the top interesting facts about the Airport. Sometimes you may notice or see a plane on fire when leaving Buitenveldertbaan. In case you happen to visit and see a plane on fire, there is nothing to be scared or worried about it is simply Firefly. It’s a plane used by the Fire Department for training.

The training allows them to train under the conditions of a plane on fire and when passengers need to evacuate. The fire Department trains with the Firefly every single day and this helps them to get experience on what to do in case of such incidents.

4. Polar Bears at Schiphol

When I talk of Polar bears I don’t mean the animal, but workers who walk at the Airport. The polar bears a called upon in the Schiphol Airports during winter showers to take away the snow ploughs. They ensure that the runways for the plane are free from snow and ice at any particles time.

The polar bears are one of the important workers in the Airport. They ensure no obstacles are encountered in the Airport during the winter Season therefore  Schiphol Airport never closes it remains open during the winter period. This keeps winter travel as safe as possible.

5. Schiphol is a Mainport

In simple words, it means the Main port. However, in deeper meaning Main ports the usage of many different modes of transport. Some of these transport means include  Lorries, trains, cars, and planes. For instance, the high-speed train to Â鶹APP runs 9 times a day.

The Mainport usage in Schilop Airport has greater job opportunities for many people, around 68,000 people work in the airport. It has promoted company developments and around 800 different companies are located at the airport.

6. There are Several Legends About the Name “Schiphol”

The most popular legend is that many boats sank on the site in what used to be Haarlemmer Lake. This made the place become known as “Schip Holl” or “Scheepshol”. ‘Schip and Scheep’ meaning ‘ship’ and ‘hol’ meaning grave.

The second explanation of the name is that it comes from the word ” scheepshaal”. This was a ditch used for towing ships from one lake to another. A third explanation is said to come from ‘Scip hol’, which is a low-lying patch of ground(‘hol as in Holland). The timber that grew in the area was used to build ships (scip).

7. Schiphol’s Old Control Tower is Now a Restaurant

Schiphol Tower Photo by Ikreis

Schiphol’s old control tower is now operating as a restaurant. The name of the restaurant is Wings and it was opened in 2009. It is located on the ground floor of the old tower and during summer people prefer sitting outside. Wings restaurant is one of the great historic locations where you can visit to have a bite or a drink as well as have fun.

8. Many Cargo Flights Use Schiphol

KLM Cargo Boeing 747-400ERF on the Taxiway Bridge crossing the Highway A4 E19 Photo by Foto Wolfgang Pehlemann

Nowadays all types of goods can be transported by air. These include modern electronics, animals, and perishable goods such as meat, flower, fruit, fish, and vegetables among others. Air transport is important especially when something must be sent quickly or the goods are highly perishable.

It ensures delivery of goods at the right time since it is fast. In Netherland Schiphol Flight are most used for transport, for instants In 2019,1.57million tons of freight were transported and 71.7 million passengers flew through Schiphol.

9. There are Two Hotels After Security Where Travelers can Rest

This is one of the interesting facts about Schiphol Airport having hotels within premises for travellers where they can rest, sleep, or even shower. If you feel a bit tired or need to rest before the flight, you can visit Yotelair in lounge 2 or Hotel Mercure in lounge 3 to refresh and rest. The hotels are open 24 hours a day.

10. There is a Real Fokker Plane Located at the Panorama Terrace

Aeroplanes and service vehicles on the apron in 1965 Photo by Ralf Manteufel

The Panorama Terrace is a popular place to go ‘Plane-Spotting’. While you are there, you can also take a look at an authentic Fokker 100 used by KLM City Hopper. People seat in the cockpit and hear real reports from the control tower, and you can check out the baggage hold, and then read about the history of the Netherlands.

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