Amsterdam Court Approves Plan to Reduce Flights at Schiphol Airport, Addressing Noise Pollution Concerns
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, known as one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs, has been given the go-ahead by an appeals court to reduce the number of flights from 500,000 per year to 460,000. The decision by the Amsterdam Court of Appeal overturns a previous ruling that stated the Dutch government did not follow the correct procedure when instructing Schiphol to cut flights.
The order to reduce flights was challenged by the airport, civil aviation organizations, and airlines, including KLM, the national carrier of the Netherlands. The recent ruling can still be appealed to the Dutch Supreme Court.
The appeals court emphasized the importance of considering the interests of local residents in the densely populated region surrounding the airport. Complaints about noise pollution from Schiphol have been ongoing for years.
In response to the ruling, Schiphol stated that it accepts the decision and hopes for a new aviation traffic order from Dutch authorities. The airport aims to receive a clear and enforceable plan that sets environmental limits, providing clarity and perspective for all parties involved. Schiphol’s priority is to become quieter, cleaner, and better.
KLM expressed disappointment with the ruling but stated that it would continue to work with other stakeholders to find the best approach to reducing the number of people affected by aircraft noise.
In an effort to address the issue, Schiphol had previously announced plans to phase out flights between midnight and 5 a.m., ban private jets and the noisiest planes, and abandon an additional runway project.
The ruling signifies a step towards balancing the needs of air travel and the concerns of local communities, aiming to create a more sustainable and harmonious aviation environment around Schiphol Airport.
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