Schiphol opens world's first airport park
Dutch Princess Irene opened the world's first park in an airport at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol on 11 May 2011. During the opening ceremony, passengers enjoyed a pleasant picnic in the park while waiting for their departure.
Sustainable oasis
The airport park is in many ways similar to a normal city park where visitors find peace and greenery, food outlets and shop kiosks. On clear days, travellers can step outside and enjoy the sunshine on the terrace. The feeling of being in a park is achieved through mixed reality technology. The park's centrepiece is a rescued 130-year-old tree. Images of famous parks from all over the world are displayed on walls, while the projections of butterflies and the sounds of animals, bicycle bells and playing children help bring the park to life.
Schiphol airport park features a number of sustainable applications as well. Wherever possible LED lighting is used. Travellers can recharge their mobile phones while pedaling special bikes which produce energy. Normal charging points are also available for those who would like to recharge laptops and other electrical equipment.
Innovation takes flight
Schiphol’s innovative and sustainable new initiative perfectly suits their tradition of finding new ways of servicing travellers. An example of creative solutions is the use of iris recognition for passport control, a first in the world of flight. Schiphol has also launched sustainable initiatives such as the production of algae used as raw material for biofuel or for protein-rich animal feed.
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