Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will temporarily close its Buitenveldertbaan Runway on weekdays between August 31 and September 8, 2026, as part of its annual maintenance programme.
The runway will remain available for air traffic during the weekend of September 5 and 6, but flights that would normally use Buitenveldertbaan will be redirected to other Schiphol runways during weekday closures.
The maintenance could result in temporary changes to flight paths around Amsterdam, with some areas experiencing more aircraft movements than usual.
Runway maintenance includes asphalt, lighting and drainage work
Schiphol carries out routine maintenance on its runways every year to maintain operational safety and prevent larger infrastructure problems.
Work on the Buitenveldertbaan will include inspections and repairs to the runway’s asphalt surface and markings.
Technical teams will also inspect electrical systems and cabling, clean or replace runway lighting and flush sections of the stormwater drainage system.
Grass surrounding the runway will also be mown as part of the scheduled work.
Construction company Heijmans will work with Schiphol to carry out the maintenance programme.
Other Schiphol runways to handle additional flights
With the Buitenveldertbaan unavailable, Schiphol will redistribute arriving and departing flights across other runways.
The Kaagbaan may be used in a north-easterly direction for additional departing aircraft.
Arrivals that would otherwise use Buitenveldertbaan may instead be directed to the Schiphol-Oostbaan.
Actual runway allocation will continue to depend on operational requirements and weather conditions, particularly wind direction and speed, meaning other runways could also be used during the maintenance period.
Temporary changes expected to flight paths around Amsterdam
The redistribution of traffic means communities beneath routes associated with the alternative runways may temporarily experience an increase in aircraft movements.
Schiphol said it plans runway maintenance to minimise disruption while ensuring necessary infrastructure work can be completed efficiently.
The airport publishes regular information about expected air traffic and runway use to help nearby communities anticipate changes.
Local residents can also contact the Local Community Contact Centre Schiphol, known as BAS, for information about runway operations, flight paths and aircraft noise.
The centre provides current information on runway use and handles questions and complaints relating to air traffic around the airport.
Buitenveldertbaan to return to normal operations after September 8
The Buitenveldertbaan is scheduled to return to regular weekday operations once maintenance is completed on September 8.
Annual runway maintenance forms part of Schiphol’s ongoing infrastructure programme, with individual runways periodically taken out of service so that surfaces, lighting, drainage and other safety-critical systems can be inspected and repaired.
Passengers are not being advised of specific flight cancellations as a result of the work, with the airport instead planning to accommodate traffic through alternative runway configurations.
