Schiphol

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (IATA: AMS, ICAO: EHAM) is the Netherlands’ main international airport. Located in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, southwest of Amsterdam, it serves as a major hub for international air travel and is a primary base for KLM. The airport is owned and operated by Royal Schiphol Group and is one of Europe’s busiest passenger airports by traffic and connectivity.

Schiphol began as a military airfield in 1916 and opened for civilian use in 1919. It expanded through the 20th century, becoming a central hub for European and intercontinental routes. The name Schiphol derives from the surrounding polder and village. The facility has undergone several modernization efforts to increase capacity and improve sustainability, passenger experience, and operational efficiency.

Today the airport comprises a single terminal complex with several concourses (A through E) connected by walkways, plus a rail link beneath the building. It has multiple runways to accommodate traffic, and a direct rail station provides frequent services to Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, with onward connections to international destinations. Ground transport options include car, taxi, bus, and regional rail.

As a major trans-European hub, Schiphol is a base for KLM and its partners and handles a wide range of short- and long-haul services. It is also a significant cargo center. The airport plays a central role in Dutch transport policy and ongoing programs address capacity management, passenger flow, and environmental sustainability.