KLM finds night flight ban for loud aircrafts at Schiphol "harmful and disproportionate"

A ban on overnight flights for the loudest aircraft at Schiphol is “harmful and disproportionate,” according to KLM, which also owns Transavia. The outgoing Cabinet wants fewer planes to take off or land at Schiphol Airport at night from 2025. The loudest planes will be banned between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.

As a result, the Amsterdam airport can allow 27,000 overnight flight movements next year, compared to 32,000 now, as announced by outgoing Minister Mark Harbers of Infrastructure on Friday. The decision not only complies with recent court rulings but actually allows Schiphol to increase flight movements by up to 17,500 per year.

According to KLM, this will have a significant impact on cargo flights, as new, quieter aircraft will not be delivered until 2026. “The consequence is that we are focusing on shrinking instead of a balanced approach to noise reduction,” the airline said.

Transavia was “surprised” by the measure, as no substantial consultation had taken place, the KLM subsidiary said. “In addition, a Cabinet formation is currently taking place, potentially leading to a different approach in aviation policy. Transavia is disappointed that the number of night flights is to be reduced even further, and this has a major impact on Transavia,” a spokesperson for the airline said.

Outgoing Minister Mark Harbers (Infrastructure) took the measures partly because a judge ruled that the government must do more to protect local residents from noise pollution. However, this can also be done without “drastically” reducing the number of flight movements at Schiphol, argues KLM. For example, by making the use of noisy aircraft more expensive, Schiphol will encourage airlines to use quieter aircraft.

The British airline easyJet announced it does not fly at night and is therefore not affected by the measure. “We welcome the ban on the loudest aircraft. This will encourage airlines to renew their fleets,” said a spokeswoman. EasyJet has nine aircraft at Schiphol, six of which are already quieter on take-off and landing.