Dutch government revives plan to cut Schiphol Airport capacity, proposing to limit night flights and certain aircraft by 2025.
Dutch Infrastructure Minister Mark Harbers has proposed measures to reduce noise pollution at Schiphol Airport, including capping night flights at 27,000 in 2025 (down from 32,000) and banning loud aircraft like the Boeing 747-400 from operating during late night/early morning hours (11 pm-7 am).
The Dutch government’s latest proposal comes after a previous attempt to reduce Schiphol’s capacity by 20%, which was abandoned in November due to intense international criticism and scrutiny.
A local court ordered the government in March to take additional steps to reduce Schiphol Airport’s noise pollution, following a complaint from nearby residents.
KLM slams the government’s noise reduction plan as “harmful and not proportionate”, citing a rushed ban on certain aircraft types without time for alternatives. The airline warns of a “focus on shrinkage” and overlooked consequences:
“This [package] includes the proposed blanket ban on certain aircraft types from 2025, without giving our industry time to seek suitable alternatives. This means there’s a focus on shrinkage instead of seeking a balanced approach to reducing noise impact. This ignores potential consequences such as countermeasures for Dutch airlines abroad, legal feasibility, and damage to the Netherlands as a trending nation.”
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KLM argues that noise reduction targets can be met without drastically cutting Schiphol flights. It cites its quieter aircraft fleet renewal plans and a previous proposal for higher fees on noisy aircraft. The airline will “carefully examine” the proposed measures before sharing its detailed “vision”.
