Unexploded WWII bomb disrupts Amsterdam Schiphol airport, Parts of Amsterdam's Schiphol international airport – one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs – were shut down Wednesday after workers found an undetonated bomb during routine construction work.
"This will most likely have an impact on flight routine at our airport and could lead to delays and cancellations," an airport official told NBC News.
Workers found the explosive device during construction work on a new hydrant system to be used for re-fueling aircraft.
Schiphol is one of Europe's busiest airports and handles approximately 50 million passengers annually.
A statement on its website said: "The bomb squad is investigating at the moment. This may have implications for air traffic in the form of cancellations and delays."
The Brussels-based main European air traffic control agency, Eurocontrol, posted on Twitter that passengers could expect "major delays."
The find comes only a day after experts in Munich triggered a controlled explosion of a 550-pound American WWII bomb in the center of Munich.
"A bomb disposal team with experts is presently assessing the situation, which will determine how long we will need to keep the section of the terminal closed," Cora Koopstra, from the airport's "action team," told NBC News.
The device was discovered at "Pier C," the wing of the terminal used mainly by flights to and from the European Union's passport-free Schengen zone. The terminal is a busy hub for European travelers and those connecting to Schengen destinations from international flights such as those from the U.S.
During World War II, Nazi Germany used the airport as a base for air raids on Britain. In 1943, the airport was destroyed by allied fighter aircraft; 400 tons of U.S. bombs were dropped on the complex.
"This will most likely have an impact on flight routine at our airport and could lead to delays and cancellations," an airport official told NBC News.
Workers found the explosive device during construction work on a new hydrant system to be used for re-fueling aircraft.
Schiphol is one of Europe's busiest airports and handles approximately 50 million passengers annually.
A statement on its website said: "The bomb squad is investigating at the moment. This may have implications for air traffic in the form of cancellations and delays."
The Brussels-based main European air traffic control agency, Eurocontrol, posted on Twitter that passengers could expect "major delays."
The find comes only a day after experts in Munich triggered a controlled explosion of a 550-pound American WWII bomb in the center of Munich.
"A bomb disposal team with experts is presently assessing the situation, which will determine how long we will need to keep the section of the terminal closed," Cora Koopstra, from the airport's "action team," told NBC News.
The device was discovered at "Pier C," the wing of the terminal used mainly by flights to and from the European Union's passport-free Schengen zone. The terminal is a busy hub for European travelers and those connecting to Schengen destinations from international flights such as those from the U.S.
During World War II, Nazi Germany used the airport as a base for air raids on Britain. In 1943, the airport was destroyed by allied fighter aircraft; 400 tons of U.S. bombs were dropped on the complex.
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