Joint message from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism
In response to a change in European regulations, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol changed its security system for Non-Schengen flights in 2005 from central security (in which passengers are checked prior to entering the lounges beyond Passport Control) to decentralised security (checks at the gate).
Under European regulations, arriving and departing passengers are not permitted to have contact with each other if they have not undergone a security check according to the rules set by the EU. This is why, given the specific infrastructure of the terminal, Schiphol imposes a security check just before boarding at the gate for Non-Schengen destinations.
The implementation of the European regulations in 2006 for fluids required us to take measures for taking fluids on board that were purchased in shops before passengers had undergone the security check at the gates. Thanks to these additional measures, including the introduction of special packaging, camera surveillance and integrity checks on purchased goods, this potentially dangerous situation was reduced to an acceptable level of risk.
According to a programme on the Dutch SBS television broadcasting station this set of safety precautions can be circumvented. This broadcast and subsequent publication of ways to get around the safety measures have increased the risk and have forced Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to apply additional measures at the recommendation of the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism (NCTb).
As from today various risk management measures will be taken in the airport's Non-Schengen lounges, including the following:
- increased security with additional personnel in the See Buy Fly shops.
- checks carried out on fluids purchased from the See Buy Fly shops.
- shops selling only a limited amount of fluids will terminate the sale of these products.
In addition to these measures, we will look into possible long-term technological or infrastructural adjustments.
Schiphol Group and the National Coordinator for Counterterrorism wish to emphasize that 100% safety can never be guaranteed - at Schiphol or any other airport. Air transport nevertheless remains one of the most secure means of transport.
