Amsterdam Schiphol Airport welcomed 4.7 million passengers in February, marking a slight 1% rise from 2024. Most travelers flew to the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and the United States.
Meanwhile, flights dipped slightly, with 34,342 takeoffs and landings, showing a 2% drop from last year.
Let’s break down the numbers and see what’s driving this busy Dutch hub.
Schiphol Airport: February Performance
Passenger Breakdown
Of those 4.7 million passengers, 2.8 million began or ended their journeys at Schiphol. Another 1.9 million used it as a transfer point.
About 900,000 were “transfer passengers,” counted twice per international rules—once arriving, once leaving.
This modest growth shows air travel demand holding strong, even with fewer flights. Schiphol’s role as a connector keeps it humming.
Top Destinations
Europe dominated, with 3.3 million passengers flying to or from the continent. Another 1.4 million went intercontinental. The UK led the pack, spanning London business trips and countryside tourism getaways.
Spain followed, offering sun-soaked escapes to Barcelona or Mallorca. Italy’s allure of Rome and Venice came next, then Turkey’s beaches and bazaars. The U.S., with cities like New York and Los Angeles wrapped up the top five. Overall, the airport supported a broad mix of leisure and business travel.
Flights and Cargo
Schiphol saw 34,342 flights in February 2025, down 2% from 2024. Of these, 27,706 went to Europe, while 6,636 were long-haul. Why fewer flights? Higher capacity flights might be carrying more people per trip.
Cargo flights also fell, dropping 7% to 1,239 from 1,333 in 2024. Cargo volume likely slipped from last year’s 121,853 tons, though full data isn’t in yet. Trade shifts or weather could be factors.
Schiphol as a Key Hub
Schiphol ranks among Europe’s elite airports, alongside London Heathrow and Frankfurt. Its 1% passenger rise fits a global rebound. IATA observes that 2025 air travel could now top 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
But it’s not all smooth flying. Noise complaints from locals and climate goals push flight caps. The airport fights back with green moves, like electric ground crews and sustainable fuels. Tech helps too—self-check-ins and smart baggage systems keep lines short.
February’s 4.7 million passengers prove Schiphol’s year-round pull. Winter escapes to Spain or Turkey draw sun-seekers.
The UK sees business travelers and families, especially during school half-term breaks. U.S. flights might carry skiers or event-goers, with major events like New York Fashion Week.
Transfer traffic shines here too. Those 900,000 connectors link Asia, Africa, or the Americas to Europe’s smaller cities via Schiphol’s vast network, led by KLM.
Looking Ahead
February 2025 shows Schiphol juggling growth and limits: more passengers, fewer flights, less cargo.
Summer could spike numbers if leisure travel surges. But flight caps, if enforced, might trim schedules. Global trade or climate rules could sway cargo too.
For now, Schiphol thrives as a vital link – connecting people, goods, and ideas in a fast-changing sky.
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