Long queues and crowds: People in North Rhine-Westphalia could continue to face longer waiting times at Düsseldorf Airport in the upcoming holiday season. The reason for the delays is the lack of staff at the security controls.
Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - According to estimates by the Verdi union, the airport chaos in Düsseldorf could continue beyond Pentecost. In recent weeks, travelers have often had to queue at airport security checkpoints. An easing of the situation is currently not foreseeable due to the lack of personnel at the security checkpoints, said the Verdi expert Özay Tarim.
According to the union, the tense personnel situation leads to physical and mental stress on the employees. "The employees need good working conditions to ward off dangers at the controls," said Tarim. "When you see the queue going straight through the hall or how people don't want to miss their plane, that puts pressure on them." This endangers both the safety of the passengers and the health of the control staff. "We currently have a sick leave rate of over 20 percent," said Tarim.
Düsseldorf Airport sees the federal police and their security service providers as responsible. In June 2020, the Federal Police commissioned the service provider Deutscher Schutz und Wachdienst (DSW) to carry out the controls. Contrary to what was contractually agreed, however, the security company could not provide enough staff for the controls, according to an airport spokesman. Up to 140 control staff are currently missing per shift. "From our point of view, a second security service provider at the Düsseldorf location is essential," said the spokesman.
Düsseldorf's Lord Mayor Stephan Keller (CDU) also supports the call for a second security company. "The current situation with long queues in front of security checks is a burden for everyone involved in the process, especially for passengers and employees," said Keller. He wants to get in touch with those responsible for the federal police in the coming days.
In addition to Düsseldorf Airport, queues and delays are also becoming more frequent in Cologne, according to Verdi. In the cathedral city, around 100 control staff were currently missing at the airport.
