KLM criticizes the government's calculation model for Schiphol downsizing plans

The airline KLM has significant issues with the calculation model used by the Cabinet for a decision about reducing the nuisance caused by Schiphol. The model is leading the government into believing that shrinkage is the right way to go, while KLM thinks this is unnecessary, Marjan Rintel, the Airline’s CEO wrote to the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Barry Madlener.

“The government is reportedly on the verge of making a significant decision that could have unnecessarily large negative consequences for the future of Schiphol, for KLM, and for the connectivity of the Netherlands with the rest of the world,” Rintel wrote.

The goal is for air traffic to and from Schiphol to cause 20 less noise pollution than it does now. To achieve this, the number of flights would have to be reduced.

However, KLM believes the Cabinet is not using the right calculation method to decide how much shrinkage is needed. The airline thinks more attention should be given to using newer model airplanes and a difference in tariffs between louder and quieter aircraft at Schiphol. They also believe an “obvious calculation error” was not corrected.

KLM thinks that the Cabinet is not following the so-called “Balanced Approach.” That procedure states that the government can only push for a reduction of flights when other less drastic measures have had an insufficient effect in the attempts to lower the nuisance.

The airline is expecting that this could lead to retaliation from other countries, including the United States. The American government threatened action against KLM last year after US airlines complained about the suggested shrinkage at Schiphol.

Mark Harbers, the minister of infrastructure at the time, subsequently suspended his plans for a significant reduction in the number of flights in the fall of 2023.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management said that it made agreements with the sector last summer about the principles of the calculations, including with KLM. A spokesperson emphasized that independent experts have taken a look at the calculations. The ministry does not yet want to say anything about the results of the calculations, which may be announced on Friday.