2023-09-01 17:09:48
The maximum number of flights per year could increase from 500,000 to 452,500 from November 2024 in order to reduce noise pollution near one of the largest air hubs in Europe.
The resigning Dutch government announced on Friday that it would continue its plans to reduce the number of flights at Amsterdam-Schiphol airport despite the challenge from the aviation sector which described the decision as “incomprehensible” and “arbitrary”. The maximum number of flights per year could increase from 500,000 to 452,500 from November 2024, said the executive in a press release, which claims to want to reduce noise pollution near one of the largest air hubs in Europe. “Today, the cabinet submitted the plan to the European Commission, which must issue an opinion on it”, after which a final decision will be taken, the government added.
“Massive repercussions on the EU single market”
Dutch airline KLM slammed the decision in a statement, calling it “incomprehensible”, and insisting that noise targets can be met otherwise. “It is difficult to imagine that such a radical decision is taken by an outgoing government”, also fumed its CEO Marjan Rintel, quoted in the press release, the coalition of Mark Rutte having resigned in July.
“This decision will inevitably hamper connectivity, attractiveness and the employment situation in the Netherlands,” added the Air France-KLM group in a press release.
Ourania Georgoutsakou, director general of Airlines for Europe (A4E), an association which brings together 15 European companies, described the decision as “arbitrary, poorly thought out”. “It is deeply worrying that an EU member state is acting unpredictably and hastily on an issue that will have massive repercussions for the Netherlands and the EU single market as a whole,” he said. – she added in a press release.
The partial night closure project under study
With an end goal of 20 per cent, the government’s plan will reduce noise by 15 per cent day and night. “Measures still need to be taken for the remaining five percent,” the government said. He added that certain measures, such as a plan to partially close Schiphol at night or the purchase by airlines of quieter planes, could not be taken at present.
“However, Schiphol’s partial night closure plan is under consideration to further reduce noise pollution,” the executive added.
The Hague announced in June 2022 a gradual reduction in flights to limit noise pollution and the impact on the environment around Amsterdam-Schiphol international airport, an announcement that has since been strongly contested by the sector, which has also gone ahead courts.
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