Queue-hit Schiphol appoints new chief executive

Amsterdam’s under-pressure Schiphol airport has appointed a new interim chief executive following months of chaos at one of Europe’s largest air hubs, with staff shortages leading to long queues and flight cancellations.

Dick Benschop resigned as chief executive last month after Schiphol forced airlines to cut their number of flights and offered compensation to passengers who missed their planes.

“Ruud Sondag will be Royal Schiphol Group’s new CEO from November 1,” said the airport, Europe’s third-largest in 2019.

“The supervisory board appointed him ad interim until 31 August 2023,” it said in a statement.

Sondag is a seasoned senior manager and was previously chief executive of Dutch energy company Eneco, the airport added.

He is also a supervisory board member of Dutch rail company ProRail and the Port of Rotterdam.

But Sondag faces a serious challenge in fixing current problems at Schiphol.

The Covid-19 pandemic saw thousands of layoffs, resulting in severe staff shortages, particularly with security screening of departing passengers.

Late last month, the beleaguered airport announced it would limit flights until at least March next year.

“Schiphol is a beautiful company currently facing a massive challenge,” Sondag said in the statement.

“I am hugely motivated together with all employees and stakeholders to get Schiphol back on track,” he said.