As we transition into endemicity, most of the borders have opened up, allowing international travellers to cross geographical lines again.
While the sudden surge of travellers may be good for struggling airlines and tourism industries, the airports may not be able to keep up, which can cause immense chaos and expensive disappointments.
People missing their flights to lost luggage
It’s been reported that many travellers are missing their flights due to incredulously long waiting times at check-in and security checkpoints.
Here’s why:
- Lack of airport staff as many airlines and airports laid off workers during the pandemic
- Conditions and pay have been lowered (longer working hours, lower pay, higher unemployment risk) which leads to less people wanting to go back to work at an airport
- Longer check in procedures (Covid-19 vaccination proof and negative PCR tests)
- Summer holidays in Europe which result in an influx of travellers
This is affecting most major airports across Europe. Namely:
- Schiphol Airport – Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Frankfurt Airport – Frankfurt, Germany
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport – Paris, France
With the added procedures and lack of airport staffs, the process and system invested by authorities will no longer be as seamless as before.
But, that doesn’t mean that you cannot prepare yourself for this.
If you’re travelling to Europe soon, here’s a few things you can take note off:
- Terms and conditions applied: When travelling through this pandemic, it’s best to keep track of the mask mandates and/or vaccination requirements. Make sure you have all your documents ready in case of any mishaps.
- Head to the airport EARLY: Our parents are right, there is a reason to get to the airport early. With the extra procedures required, a typical 3 hour before flight wait may not be enough. It is advisable to arrive the airport at least 4-6 hours before flight if you have check-in luggage.
- Travel light: If possible, it’s best to not have any check-in luggage as you may have to spend a long time waiting for your bags. A carry-on would be less time consuming and the risk of it getting lost during transit is definitely lower.
- Online check-ins: Make sure you check-in online prior to your flight so you avoid getting at manual check-in counters.
We hope this little travel guide helps you with planning your trip – safe travels!
