Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam, Netherlands, closes the Zwanenburgbaan Runway for maintenance

During peak hours (heavy air traffic), the Buitenveldert Runway may be used more often as a second runway when there are south winds, and as a (second) runway when there are north winds. The major maintenance work will not affect night flights.

Night flights in southbound direction

During nights, the Zwanenburg Runway is normally in use southbound from time to time when the Kaag Runway is not available due to, for example, brief runway maintenance or wind and weather conditions. During the maintenance period of the Zwanenburg Runway, it is possible that the Kaag Runway may also be unavailable at night. This happens, for example, when there is a very strong southeastern wind. The wind then crosses the Kaag Runway, making it unsafe for aircraft to take off from this runway. In that case, the Aalsmeer Runway (Aalsmeerbaan) is the alternative. Schiphol’s basic principle is that the Aalsmeer Runway is used as little as possible throughout the night and only if there is no other option. If necessary, Schiphol will even postpone the short maintenance activities on the Kaag Runway to some other time within that same week.

Complete renewal of asphalt

The Zwanenburg Runway was built in the 1960s. During this major maintenance, Schiphol will completely renew the asphalt of the runway. It will also replace 12,000 square meters of markings on the runway and 6 kilometers of gutters and exits on and around the runway. And all halogen ground lights including all electrical cables for a more durable and reliable LED lighting system will also be renovated.?This involves nearly 6,400 lights and 450 kilometers of cables. Moreover, Schiphol will carry out a complete renovation of the runway station and the rain water drainage system in the area around the runway.?Some 166 people will be working on the Zwanenburg Runway every day.

Work on the landing system?

During and after the major maintenance, the Air Traffic Control of the Netherlands (Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland, LVNL) will replace the Instrument Landing System (ILS) of the Zwanenburg Runway. An ILS system ensures that aircraft are supported to gradually descend towards the runway. Some of the maintenance operations on the ILS system can only be performed after completion of the major maintenance. During the six-week period following the completion of the major maintenance work (expected to be until the end of June), the Zwanenburg Runway cannot be used for landings from southerly directions in poor visibility. The Buitenveldert Runway will then be one of the alternatives.

Runway maintenance in 2023??

Besides the major maintenance work on the Zwanenburg Runway, maintenance work will also be also taking place on the other runways. A number of changes have already been made to the schedule. You will find the runway maintenance and work schedule on this page. ?