Why this guide?
Since Schiphol Amsterdam Airport is more crowded than ever since 3D buildings have been introduced on this Airport, I thought it would be a good idea to make a topic about how EHAM works IRL and how to simulate things that are done IRL. EHAM can be difficult and confusing sometimes and as a person who works at EHAM on a daily basis, I thought it would be a good idea to share my knowledge and educated people on how EHAM actually works IRL.
Runways
How to use the runways at EHAM.
Runway 18R/36L:
Also called the âPolderbaanâ, its the longest runway available on EHAM (3800m). Important to know is that the 18R side of this runway is only used for landing operations. Taking off from this side of the runway is not possible due to not having a taxiway that should give access to this side of the runway, also backtracking is not a option. Which means 36L is the only side of the runway where they takeoff from. This also means that 36L is not used for landings and only available for takeoff.
Runway 18C/36C:
Also called the âZwanenburgbaanâ is the center runway of the 3 parallel runways at EHAM. This runway can be used for takeoff and landing on both sides. When 36L and 36C are both used for takeoff at the same time, a slight right turn after departure from 36C is commonly used to create some seperation with the traffic taking off from 36L.
Runway 18L/36R:
Also called the âAalsmeerbaanâ is an 3400m long runway. This runway works just the opposite of runway 18R/36L. The 18L side is only used for takeoff and the 36R side only used for landings. This is because there is no intersection or taxiway in between 36R and intersection E1/G5.
Runway 24/06:
Also called the âKaagbaanâ is a 3500m long runway. The 24 side is mostly used for takeoff, but also used for landings every now and then. Landings on this side of the runway are not rare but also not common. A straight in landing or a runway 27 break-off procedure can be used for this side to land on. 06 is for landing procedures and on a very rare occasion a takeoff is done from intersection S1.
Runway 27/09:
Also called the âBuitenveldertbaanâ is the 3450m runway. Takeoff and landings are possible from the 27 side of this runway. 09 is especially for takeoff procedures, 09 has never been used for landings as far as I know. This side has no ILS.
Runway 22/04:
Also called the âOostbaanâ is the smallest/shortest runway available on EHAM with a length of just 2000m. This runway is mostly used by GA traffic departing from and arriving to the GA ramp on the east side of this runway. Both sides can be used for takeoff and landings, but only the 22 side has an ILS, therefore commercial traffic only lands on the 22 side of this runway.
Taxiways
How to use the taxiways at EHAM.
The main taxiways Alpha and Bravo go all the way around the terminals of EHAM, but are mostly used wrong at this airport.
Alpha, the inner taxiway is used clockwise while Bravo (outer taxiway) is used anti clockwise. Also note the small arrows on the taxiways between the terminals. They show how to enter the Aprons for each terminal. If thereâs no arrow shown on a taxiway in this picture, direction of taxiing is at your discretion. For example taxiway Q can be used in both directions, you can also see in the picture above that there is a taxiway in construction parallel to taxiway Q, so this might change in the future. (Credits to the post of @KJKLM281 for providing this picture and information).
Also when taxiing from and to RWY 18R/36L, if RWY 18C/36C is also in operation. I recommend to taxi around 18C/36C, this means you dont have to wait to cross 18C/36C and that saves the ATC also some work.
Abnormal Pushback procedures
Unusual pushback procedures at EHAM.
(Unofficial data, mentioned below is what I see on a daily basis, correct me if im wrong).
Pier D
Pushing back from gates/stands D3, D5, D7, D41 & D43 is not just a regular pushback facing taxiway A13 (nose left), as your engines (and therefore jetblast) would point to aircraft standing at gate D3 & D5.
Therefore when pushing back from the gates mentioned above, you pushback nose right and pushback all the way heading taxiway A10 till youâre parallel with gate D47. When cleared to taxi, turn right towards taxiway A12 or A13 and continue to the active runway.
When pushing back from gates D2 & D4 it is a common procedure to pushback to taxiway A5 and stop parallel to gate C5. For gates D8, D10 & D12 it is common to pushback to the right side of A5 and turn nose right facing A8 and taxi from there on.
Pier E
For gates E2 & E4 are the same pushback procedures applicable as for gates D3, D5, D7, D41 & D43 (see picture above).
For gates E3, E5, E7 & E9 you pushback nose right and stop when youâre parallel to gate E17/taxiway A14. When cleared to taxi, turn right to taxiway A16 and continue to the active runway.
Pier F
For gates F3 & F4, F6 & F8 are the same pushback procedures applicable as for gates E3, E5, E7 & E9. (see picture above).
Cargo stands
Which cargo operators park where.
At Schiphol we daily see a variaty of Cargo operators delivering and picking up different kinds of cargo. These operators/airlines have designated parking stands.
The following (in IF existing) Cargo Airlines operate to and from EHAM and park on the following platforms:
- Atlas Air = Cargo Apron S
- AirBridgeCargo = Cargo Apron S
- Air China Cargo = Cargo Apron R
- Cargolux = Cargo Apron S
- Nippon Cargo = Cargo Apron R
- China Cargo = Cargo Apron R
- China Southern Cargo = Cargo Apron R
- DHL = Cargo Apron S
- Emirates Sky Cargo = Cargo Apron R
- Etihad Cargo = Cargo Apron R
- FedEx = Cargo Apron S
- Korean Air Cargo = Cargo Apron S
- LAN Cargo = Cargo Apron S
- Qatar Cargo = Cargo Apron S
- Saudia Cargo = Cargo Apron S
- Turkish Cargo = Cargo Apron S
- Martinair Cargo = Cargo Apron S
- Vietnam Airlines = Cargo Apron S
Passenger Airline stands
Which Airlines park where.
At Schiphol we daily see a variaty of Airlines. These operators/airlines have designated parking stands.
The following (in IF existing) Airlines operate to and from EHAM and park on the following platforms:
Pier/Concourse
European Airlines
- Air France/HOP! = Pier C
- British Airways = Pier D
- Tarom = Pier D
- Croatia Airlines = Pier D
- Easyjet = Pier H
- Eurowings = Pier D
- Lufthansa = Pier B
- Lufthansa Cityline = Pier B
- SAS = Pier B
- Swiss = Pier B
- TAP = Pier C
- Aegean = Pier B
- Aer Lingus = Pier D
- Aeroflot = Pier G
- Alitalia = Pier C
- Austrian - Pier B
- Finnair = Pier C
- Iberia = Pier B
- Turkish Airlines = Pier E & G
- KLM = Pier B, C, D, E, F & G
- KLM Cityhopper = A stands & Pier B
- Air Belgium (Operated by Surinam Airways) = Pier G
- TUI/Smartlynx = Pier B, D & G
- Jet2 = Pier H
- LOT = Pier B
- Norwegian = Pier D & H
- Ryanair = Pier H
- Transavia = Pier C & D
- Ukraine International = Pier G
- AirBaltic = Pier C
- Icelandair = Pier D
- Air Europa = Pier D
Asian Airlines
- Cathay Pacific = Pier G
- China Airlines = Pier E
- China Southern = Pier E
- Jet Airways = Pier E & G
- Singapore Airlines = Pier G
- Garuda Indonesia = Pier G
- China Eastern = Pier E
- Emirates = Pier G
- Qatar Airways = Pier F
- Korean Airlines = Pier F
- Etihad = Pier G
- Saudia = Pier F
- Kuwait Airlines = Pier G
- Air Astana = Pier E
- Xiamen Air = Pier E
- Royal Jordanian = Pier G
- El Al = Pier G
North American Airlines
- Delta Airlines = Pier D & E
- American Airlines = Pier G
- United Airlines = Pier G
- Air Canada = Pier G (Since COVID: Remote Apron G)
- Westjet = Pier G
- Aeromexico = Pier F
African Airlines
- EgyptAir = Pier G
- Kenya Airlines = Pier E
- Royal Air Maroc = Pier G
- Air Mauritius = Pier E
Remote stands & maintenance hangars
What are the remote stands used for.
Apart from the stands mentioned above, there are more stands where aircraft can park. Remote stands, where aircraft are parked when theyâre not needed or depart from in an unussual occasion.
A stands
Remote stand only used by the KLM cityhopper fleet. (partly in construction due to the build of Pier A)
D & E stands
Remote stand for aircraft when not being used or depart from.
G stands
Remote stand for aircraft when not being used or depart from.
J & P stands
Remote stand for aircraft when not being used, P stands in the winter used as De-icing pad.
K stands
Remote stands for private jets & other GA aircraft.
M stands
Remote stand for aircraft when not being used or waiting for maintenance,
Y stands
Remote stand for aircraft when not being used.
U stands
Remote stand for aircraft when not being used.
Taxiway G3
Remote stand used by Transavia.
Maintenance hangars/stands.
Hangar 73
Maintenance hangar for the Embraers of KLM cityhopper (Regional Jet Centre).
Hangar 11
KLM maintenance hangar mainly used for preventive and corrective maintenance.
Hangar 12
KLM Maintenance hangar mainly used for preventive maintenance.
Hangar 10
Maintenance hangar used for the Dutch government aircraft.
Hangar 14
Maintenance hanger used for the KLM fleet major maintenance checks.
Hangar 5
Maintenance hanger used for the Transavia fleet.
Hanger 4
Storage as far as I know.
Hangar 32
Maintenance hangar for private jets.
KLM maintenance stands infront of Hangar 11 & 12
Used for engine test runs.
If anyone has more information to add feel free to mention them in your comment below, corrections are also very welcome.