Amsterdam demands Schiphol annual flight movements fall by 9% to 400,000

The City of Amsterdam has tightened its position on Schiphol Airport. The capital wants a maximum of 400,000 flights per year, which would be 40,000 fewer than what was previously stated in December, the municipality reported on Tuesday.

In addition to the 9 percent reduction, Amsterdam reiterated its wish for a complete overnight closure between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., and for private jets to be banned outright. The set of measures should reduce noise pollution, residents’ sleep disturbances and emissions, thus “restoring legal protection for local residents and allowing Schiphol to operate within the law again,” the capital wrote in a statement.

A combination of a reduction in flight movements, more innovation and pricing adjustments is needed for “a better balance between the quality of life for local residents and the economy,” said Alderman Hester van Buren. On behalf of the municipality, the alderman announced that she will also focus on international passenger trains to replace short flights, and proposes the introduction of a distance-dependent air travel tax in the short term.

In addition, Schiphol must be a healthy and safe workplace with “a fair wage.” Van Buren said she is committed to job security and “a decent schedule”, and on the other hand to limiting payment to those “at the top.”

Schiphol said that it is happy that the municipality is supporting elements of measures that the airport had proposed at an earlier stage. They are referring to the night closure and the banning of private jets.

However, the airport is not sure about the extent of the measures. Schiphol thinks it is very important that the hub function is maintained, which is a sort of node for the airport. “Less nuisance and emissions are needed, but we should also focus on a balance between the joys and the burdens,” Schiphol added. We have notified the municipality of this.”

Outgoing minister Mark Harbers (infrastructure and Water management) said via a spokesperson that they had received the message from Amsterdam and will study its contents. The departing minister is only responsible for this for another week. The new Cabinet is sworn in on July 2, and member of the PVV party Barry Madlener will be his replacement.

The municipality of Amsterdam is a 20 percent shareholder of the airport, while the Dutch state is the majority shareholder, with 70 percent.