NETHERLANDS. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has this week started construction of its new Pier H for European traffic.
The airport’s seventh pier will contain seven aircraft parking stands and will be built perpendicular to Pier G. It is needed to create more space in the central area of the terminal to accommodate the expected growth of the SkyTeam alliance, incorporating Air France-KLM and partners, says the airport authority.
By adding the new Pier H to the west wing, space will be created for a number of airlines that are not part of the SkyTeam alliance, and which carry few transfer passengers.
According to the airport authority, Pier H differs from the airport’s other piers because market requirements have changed. Airlines that carry few transfer passengers require efficient ground-handling services and short turnaround times.
The new pier will not contain passenger jetties. The passenger will be guided from the new departure lounge to the pre-boarding zones shortly before boarding. The passenger can then walk 20 to 40 metres to the aircraft parked near the waiting area.
Pier H will serve both Schengen and non-Schengen flights. A new Schengen lounge, Departure Lounge 4, will be created in the newly extended west wing, next to the non-Schengen lounge. This means Schengen and non-Schengen passengers can access Pier H independently of each other.
The new pier is scheduled to be completed around mid-October this year, opening in early November 2005.
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