Sorry , Equilibrium between aviation sector and local residents is Priority , hence maximum 440,000 aircraft movements Per year in Schiphol !

Amsterdam Schiphol airport (AMS) will be able to offer maximum of 440,000 take off and landing slots per year from November 2023 , infrastructure minister Mark Harbers confirmed on Friday.

If we do the maths , this aircraft movement figure shows a 12% cut in the current total , which the airport is currently close to breaching, due to unprecedented level of travel demand.

Minister Harbers briefs the MPs ,

Schiphol connects the Netherlands with the world via an extensive network of destinations. People fly from Schiphol to family or friends in distant countries, go on holiday or use the airport for a business trip. The good connection with the rest of the world makes an important contribution to the prosperity of the Netherlands.

But Schiphol is also located in one of the busiest parts of the Netherlands: a highly urbanized area. Residents of the region around Schiphol have to deal with the negative consequences of the airport. They are inconvenienced by flight noise and are concerned about the effects of aviation on their health, nature and the climate.

Apparently , current travel chaos at  Amsterdam-Schiphol  Airport  has a role in the ongoing decision making , where uncontrolled number of travelers have criticized the under-prepared facility at the airport , drawing an undue attention from around the Globe.

But the context is not suitable for Aviation , as Dutch government wants a balance between the importance of a good international airport, the associated good business climate and the importance of a better and healthier living environment where the carbon emissions do not interfere the community . 

The Council of Ministers has approved the proposal of Minister Harbers of Infrastructure and Water Management to achieve a new balance.

Minister Harbers :

“I want to offer certainty and perspective to both the aviation sector and local residents. This decision forms the basis for a new equilibrium. Unfortunately, it contains a difficult message for the aviation sector, which is still fully recovering from the drastic consequences of the corona pandemic." 

"In the coming period, we will further elaborate the decision on Schiphol in consultation with local residents and all stakeholders involved in aviation.”

In considering the public interests surrounding Schiphol, the government has opted to tackle noise pollution as a matter of priority and at the same time make a choice that will preserve Schiphol's economic function. 

Local residents are inconvenienced by flight noise and are concerned about the effects of aviation on their health , the environment and the climate.

On this basis, the government has decided that Schiphol may no longer exceed the enforcement points for noise nuisance. In practice, this means that Schiphol can handle a maximum of 440,000 flights per year. This upper limit is expected to be introduced from November next year.

Alternate Airport  Arrangment !

With this number of flights, Schiphol can maintain its international network of destinations. The possible opening of Lelystad Airport for holiday flights could contribute to that network of destinations at Schiphol.

Lelystad Airport must of course have a nature permit. And the low flight routes must be able to be solved. This takes some time. The cabinet will therefore not take a decision about Lelystad Airport before the summer of 2024.

Schiphol Group became owner of the Lelystad Airport in 1993, that is 3.5 NM south southeast of the city of Lelystad in Flevoland , Netherlands. It is the biggest general aviation airport in the Netherlands. 

Outline letter to Schiphol

Minister Harbers (IenW) informs the House of Representatives about the cabinet's decision to reduce the maximum number of permitted aircraft movements to and from Schiphol to 440,000 per year. This instead of the 500,000 aircraft movements from the draft Airport Traffic Decree (LVB). In the letter he further explains the choice of the cabinet.

Click the Link to find out the Outline letter to Schiphol , which details the intention of minister , infact the Dutch Government to restrict the Aviation activity in the Schiphol Airport.

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