“A hard blow”, “an inevitable step” and a “very penetrating decision for KLM and aviation”. Minister Harbers of Infrastructure and Water Management was clearly aware that he had a difficult message to tell at his press conference about the definitive reduction of Schiphol.
The maximum of 500,000 flights per year will be reduced to 440,000 flights from November 2023. “The lowering of the upper limit is a very substantial step,” said the VVD minister. Canceling 60,000 flights leaked yesterday already out, now it is final.
Motor
For years, the growth of the national airport was a problem for previous cabinets must, because Schiphol was the engine of the Dutch economy. In 2019, the then Minister of Infrastructure Van Nieuwenhuizen came up with the plan to increase the number of flights to 540,000. This had to be possible with cleaner and quieter aircraft.
The reality for the current minister Harbers looks different three years later, because those silent planes are not yet there.
For seven years, since 2015, Schiphol has been breaking the law by exceeding “noise enforcement points”, Harbers acknowledges. Schiphol is located in one of the busiest parts of the Netherlands, a highly urbanized area. The local residents are bothered by noise and stench and the surrounding nature is also damaged by the emission of nitrogen, among other things.
‘End of tolerance’
Al in december leaked out that draconian measures may have been necessary because the airport does not comply with nitrogen regulations and the area of noise and nuisance. The cabinet is now opting for the interests of local residents, Harbers explained the cabinet decision today.
“We will stop tolerating. Schiphol must operate within the rules,” said the minister. “We are going to tackle the noise nuisance for local residents as a matter of priority.”
Network
The minister has continued to work on a plan to downsize Schiphol in such a way that it does not lose its function as an important international airport. KLM and international airlines can continue to get there. “Schiphol can maintain the international network of destinations”, Harbers promised.
There is still no clarity about the holiday flights. Schiphol hopes to handle those flights at Lelystad Airport. But that airport in the Flevopolder is still closed, because there is no nature permit yet and local residents fear noise nuisance from low-flying aircraft. Yesterday it was announced that the cabinet is postponing the decision on opening Lelystad airport until 2024.
Raids
Harbers believes that the economic damage of the future reduction of Schiphol will not be too bad. KLM is not happy with the cabinet decision. In a press release, the Dutch airline says it feels “overwhelmed” by the cabinet’s “sudden intention”.
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