Schiphol Begins Major Upgrade of Buitenveldertbaan Runway from May to September 2025

From 10 May to 28 September 2025, Schiphol Airport will undergo large-scale maintenance on its Buitenveldertbaan Runway. This significant upgrade will involve renewing almost all infrastructure related to the runway, which is essential for its continued safe operation in the coming years. During the maintenance period, air traffic will be diverted to other runways, including the Kaagbaan and Schiphol-Oostbaan, potentially affecting flight paths and air traffic routes.

 

Comprehensive Infrastructure Renewal

The maintenance work on the Buitenveldertbaan Runway is the most extensive project Schiphol has undertaken on this runway to date. Over 100,000 tonnes of asphalt will be replaced, approximately the equivalent of 72 football pitches. Additionally, the upgrade will include replacing nearly 1,300 lights with energy-efficient LED bulbs and installing 400 kilometers of new cables for the lighting system. The drainage system, including 5,000 meters of guttering and 2,500 meters of rainwater drainage, will also be renewed. Moreover, 14,000 m² of new runway markings will be applied.

Minimizing Disruption and Maximizing Efficiency

The scale of the upgrade includes not only the Buitenveldertbaan Runway but also nearby infrastructure. Work will take place on the intersection with the Aalsmeerbaan Runway, the connecting taxiways, and surrounding fields. A total of around 400 people will work daily on-site, many of whom will be working overnight to ensure that the maintenance is completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.

In parallel, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) will perform essential maintenance on the Instrument Landing System to improve safety and performance. The combination of these tasks is designed to prevent multiple closures of the runway in the future, streamlining maintenance efforts.

Flight Path Changes During Maintenance

During the maintenance period, the runway configuration will shift based on weather conditions. The Buitenveldertbaan is typically used in strong westerly winds, but with its closure, Kaagbaan will be used more frequently for departures, while the Schiphol-Oostbaan will serve as the primary runway for landings. This may result in increased aircraft noise in areas beneath the flight paths of these alternative runways.

Schiphol has emphasized that they are taking steps to minimize the inconvenience to local residents by carefully planning the maintenance and implementing operational measures to reduce disturbances.

Completion and Testing

The Buitenveldertbaan Runway is expected to be ready for air traffic again on 29 September 2025. However, in the weeks following, LVNL will carry out essential ground and flight measurements to test the upgraded landing system. During this phase, the runway will only be available for landings when visibility is good. From 12 November 2025, the runway will be fully operational in all visibility conditions.

Schiphol’s significant upgrade to the Buitenveldertbaan Runway marks a crucial step in enhancing the airport's infrastructure while ensuring minimal disruptions for passengers and the surrounding community.