Schiphol flight delays expected during NATO Summit 2025

As The Hague’s World Forum prepares to host the 2025 NATO Summit in June, just a few kilometers away in Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport is bracing for added pressure. The arrival of many world leaders, many traveling by private aircraft, is expected to significantly strain airport operations.

NATO Summit hosted in The Netherlands for the first time

The NATO Summit 2025 will be held from June 24 to 26 at the World Forum in The Hague, marking a historic first for the Netherlands as host nation. The event is expected to welcome approximately 8,500 participants, including 45 heads of state and government, foreign and defense ministers, numerous delegates, and an estimated 2,000 members of the press.

Increased flight delays expected at Schiphol during NATO Summit week

Planning to fly through Schiphol during the NATO Summit week? Get ready for possible delays. One runway is already closed for maintenance, but to make room for the large number of private jets carrying world leaders and VIPs, an entire additional runway will be completely closed off and turned into a parking area. 

That means Schiphol will be operating with fewer runways than usual, putting a lot of pressure on the airport and likely causing longer waits and more congestion for regular flights. 

In fact, during the week of June 21 to June 27, the slot coordinator was forced to cut up to 30% of total flights. KLM alone has already reduced its schedule by 20%, with affected passengers already rebooked about a month in advance.

Driving to Schiphol? Expect serious delays

It’s not just flight delays travelers need to worry about during the 2025 NATO Summit week! With political convoys driving to the event, at least one lane of the A4 will be closed in both directions. To avoid getting stuck in a traffic jam, it is recommended to rely on public transport instead. 

Flight disruptions at Schiphol: what are your air passenger rights?

Good news! Any delays caused by the runway closures during the NATO Summit week won’t be considered “extraordinary circumstances.” That means passengers will be eligible for compensation if their flights at Schiphol are delayed or canceled. 

Since airlines were informed well in advance and should be prepared for the disruptions, they’ll be responsible for covering any resulting delays. So, if your flight is affected, don’t hesitate to claim what you’re owed!

Important! If your flight is disrupted, make sure to keep all your receipts for meals, transport, and accommodation. Some airlines may try to use the NATO Summit as an excuse to avoid paying compensation, and unfortunately, not all airlines can be taken to court in the Netherlands. But with proper documentation, at the very least, you can claim reimbursement for your expenses.

How to claim compensation for a delayed flight in Schiphol?

If your flight at Schiphol was delayed by more than 3 hours or canceled less than 14 days before departure during the NATO Summit, you could be entitled to compensation. Simply use Flight Delayed to submit your claim and get the compensation you deserve! 

Under UK and EU Regulation 261/2004, air passengers can receive up to €600, depending on the flight distance and length of the delay. We work on a “no win, no fee” basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. If we win your case, we deduct a 35% fee from your compensation (or 50% if legal action is needed).