Airports in The Netherlands
There are currently 5 commercial airports in the Netherlands. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the biggest (handling 88% of total passenger traffic), followed by airports in Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Maastricht and Groningen.
Most expats and international visitors to the Netherlands have experienced the largest Dutch airport, Amsterdam Schiphol, but many are unaware there are four smaller airports. These may offer alternative travel options to them for future travel. Find out more about each of the commercial airports in the Netherlands…
AMSTERDAM AIRPORT SCHIPHOL [AMS], in North Holland province, is Europe’s third busiest airport with 71.7 million passengers flying in, out or through it in 2019. The airport handled a combined 497,000 plane takeoffs and landings.
The airport, commonly referred to as just Schiphol, is home to the Royal Dutch Airline KLM. Over 75 other airlines operate flights to more than 300 international destinations. The most popular destination for passengers flying from Schiphol is London Heathrow Airport, whether it be the end of their journey or to connect to another flight.
The airport has one main terminal building which passengers enter from one of the three different departure halls (numbered 1, 2, 3). Although each departure hall has its own entrance, all are connected under one roof. Inside the terminal, boarding gates are located along seven concourses: B (gates B1-B14), C (gates C1-C21), D (gates D1-D57 and D59-D87), E (gates E1-E14), F (gates F1-F8), G (gates G1-G13) and H/M (gates H1-H7 / gates M1-M7).
Schiphol Airport is large in size but mechanical people movers minimize the amount of walking required to get to any gate. A map of the terminals can be viewed here.
Getting to and from Schiphol Airport by public transport is easy as the train station is located below the airport. The bus platform is located on street level in front of the main exit and next to it, a cue for taxi service. Car rental companies at the airport include Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt.
Helpful information
- Special Assistance Services
- Coronavirus Rules
- Lost & Found: T:0900-0141 (local) or T:+31 (0)20 794 0800 (international)
- Missing Baggage: Contact specific airline
EINDHOVEN AIRPORT [EIN], in Noord-Brabant province, is the Netherlands’ second busiest airport handling some 6.8 million passengers and 40,200 flights during 2019.
Airlines fly to over 80 destinations in Europe including 13 cities in Spain, 8 cities in Italy and Poland, 7 cities in Grece and 6 cities in Turkey. The top destinations for passengers traveling from Eindhoven are London (Stansted Airport), Budapest, Malaga and Alicante.
Key EIN Airlines: Corendon, Ryanair, Transavia and Wizz Air
Eindhoven Airport is accessible by public transportation via Bus 400/401 from Eindhoven Central train station.
Helpful information
- Special Assistance Services
- Coronavirus Rules
- Lost & Found: iLOST
- Missing Baggage: T:0900-9505 (local) or T:+35 (0)22 700 0767 (international)
- Car Rental: Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt
ROTTERDAM-THE HAGUE AIRPORT [RTM], in South Holland province, is the third busiest Dutch airport with 2.1 million travelers and 52,400 flights during 2019.
Scheduled and charter flights from the airport reach over 40 destinations including 9 cities in Spain, 5 in both Greece and Italy, and 4 each in Austria, Canary Islands, France and Turkey. Many routes only operate on a seasonal basis. The destination with the most passenger traffic is London City Airport in the UK.
Key RTM Airlines: British Airways, Transavia
Rotterdam-The Hague Airport can be reached by public transport from both cities via Metro Line E to station Meiersplein. A shuttle bus (Line 33) connects the metro station to the airport.
Helpful information
- Special Assistance Services
- Coronavirus Rules
- Lost & Found
- Missing Baggage: Aviapartner T:+31 (0)10 446 3444
- Car Rental Companies: Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt
MAASTRICHT AACHEN AIRPORT [MST], in Limburg province, is the fourth busiest airport in the Netherlands with 436,000 passengers and 14,000 flights in 2019. It is the second largest air cargo facility after Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Airlines operating at the Maastricht airport fly to more than 20 cities including 6 in Greece, 5 in Spain and 3 in Italy. The most popular destination for passengers flying from Maastricht airport is Antalya (Turkey).
Key Airlines: Corendon, RyanAir
Maastricht Aachen Airport is accessible by public transportation via Bus 30 from the Maastricht and Sittard train stations.
Helpful information
- Special Assistance Services
- Coronavirus Rules
- Lost & Found: T:+31 (0)43 358 9898 or use Contact Form
- Car rental: Europcar, Hertz, Sixt
GRONINGEN AIRPORT EELDE [GRQ], in Groningen province, is the smallest commercial airport in the country handling 176,000 travelers in 2019. The passenger terminal is only open on select days of the week when flights are departing or arriving.
Key Airline: Transavia
Groningen Airport Eelde is accessible by public transportation via Shuttle Bus 100 or Bus 9 from Groningen train station.
Helpful information
- Special Assistance Services
- Coronavirus Rules
- Lost & Found: Handling Office in terminal
- Missing Baggage: Contact specific airline
- Car rental: Europcar, Hertz, Sixt
LELYSTAD AIRPORT [LEY], in Flevoland province, handles only non-commercial flights (sight seeing, flight training, corporate) at the moment. This will change in the near future once an expansion project is completed. The airport will be able to handle 10,000 flights a year to start, growing to 25,000 and eventually 40,000. The additional capacity is needed because Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is at the maximum number of flights allowed per year by the Dutch government. Once the redevelopment is completed (expected at the end of 2021), Lelystad will be able to handle 10,000 flights per year, which will grow to 25,000 and later 40,000.
The coronavirus situation has delayed the opening of Lelystad Airport to commercial flights by a year and possibly longer. The epidemic has had a significant impact on the airline industry to the point that passenger traffic levels are not expected to recover for several years. It means that Schiphol airport is unlikely to have flight capacity issues in the foreseeable future.
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