Schiphol warns of additional noise pollution due to runway maintenance

Schiphol is once again asking the government for permission to use additional runways next summer, as the Buitenveldertbaan is undergoing major maintenance. “We are aware that this alternative use of the runways may lead to additional noise nuisance for residents living near these alternative runways. We are working on various measures to reduce the noise nuisance as much as possible,” the statement reads on the Schiphol website.

According to Het Parool, the alternative is that Schiphol will have to cancel around 10,000 summer flights. “In the submitted application for exemption, we also state that Schiphol is obliged to allow the specified number of flight movements. In this case, this has to do with the slot regulations,” a Schiphol spokeswoman replied.

Schiphol normally tries to carry out maintenance on the runways in winter, but this is not possible in this case because an adjacent apron is used to de-ice the aircraft. The planned maintenance work now also coincides with the NATO summit in The Hague at the end of June, the impact of which on Schiphol Airport is still to be assessed.

The Amsterdam Airport informed the airlines and the residents' organization MRS this week about the consequences of this on noise nuisance. In addition, Schiphol applied to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management for an exemption from the current flight rules, so that the airport does not have to fear sanctions or other punitive measures if the noise limits are exceeded as a result of the maintenance work and the alternative flight routes. Whether Aviation Minister Barry Madlener will approve this is highly questionable, however, reports Het Parool.