The announcement comes as a new chaotic situation resulting from a shortage of security personnel this week again forced the airport, which has capped passenger numbers since July, to ask airlines to cancel flights.

Along with the CEO's departure announcement, Schiphol has asked airlines to limit flights next weekend and into October, several Dutch media reported.

"I've done my best, but we're not there yet," Dick Benschop said in a statement.

"The way Schiphol tackles problems, and my responsibility as CEO, is the subject of a lot of attention and criticism," observed the Dutchman, adding to make "room on [his] own initiative to give Schiphol the space to make a fresh start".

Schiphol - like many other airports in Europe - has experienced significant disruption in recent months due to a lack of staff, as the airline industry recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Queues have regularly lengthened out of the airport, leading to missed or canceled flights for travellers, and slow baggage handling has also been heavily criticised.

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To reduce wait times, the airport has capped the number of passengers since July.

He had also promised staff bonuses for the busy summer months.

"Drastic measures have been taken under Dick's leadership to stabilize the situation at Schiphol," Jaap Winter, chairman of the airport's supervisory board, was quoted in the statement.

"Improvements have been made in the summer, but it's not enough," he added.

Due to security concerns, fewer departing flights may take place next weekend than expected, according to leading daily Financiele Dagblad (FD).

In addition, there will be 18% less capacity available to airlines in October than previously agreed, several Dutch media reported.

'Chaos in progress'

The main Dutch union FNV claimed that the renewed chaos in September was due to the abolition of the summer allowance, which caused many security workers to leave their posts after finding work elsewhere.

The FNV, which has reached agreements with Mr Benschop aimed at improving the conditions of workers, however considered his departure "unfortunate" and fears that the resignation "will further delay the solution".

BARIN, an advocacy group for airlines active in the Netherlands, said the departure was the "result of a faulty policy at the airport", ANP reported.

Marjan Rintel, CEO of Dutch airline KLM, told state broadcaster NOS that he understood Benschop's decision "given the ongoing chaos".

Mr. Benschop, a former senior Shell executive and 64-year-old deputy minister, tendered his resignation Wednesday evening to the supervisory board, which gave its approval.

He will remain in office until his successor arrives, the airport said.

© 2022 AFP