Schipol
SCHIPOL INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT : AMSTERDAM
Schiphol started out on Sep 16, 1916, as a military airbase, consisting only of a few barracks and a mudpool serving as platform/runways. When civil aircraft started to make use of the field (Dec 17, 1920), it was often called Schiphol-les-bains. The Fokker aircraft manufacturer started a factory near Schiphol airport in 1951.
Schiphol's name is derived from a former fortification named Fort Schiphol which was part of the Stelling van Amsterdam defence works.Before 1852, the Haarlemmermeer polder in which the airport lies was a large lake, in the shallow waters of which sudden violent storms could claim many ships. This indeed was the main reason for reclaiming it. In English, Schipol translates to 'Ship Hole', a reference to the amount of ships lost in the area.
Schiphol has won more than 120 prizes over the years. In 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1990 and 2003, it was voted the best airport in the world. It was honoured with the title of 'Best European Airport' during 15 consecutive years (1988-2003) and has won a lot more prizes, including 'Best Business Travel Airport'. This is not only because of its usually perfectly organized operations, but also because of its high number of international and intercontinental flights.
*** A night stolen from Schipol.