KLM: Cabinet ignoring European Commission's advice regarding Schiphol is "unacceptable"

KLM thinks that the response from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W) to advice given by the European Commission is “unacceptable.” In the advice, the commission asked for a better explanation from the Cabinet as to why only a section of the new airplanes are being counted when it comes to pushing back noise pollution near Schiphol.

But I&W Minister Barry Madlener has refuted the criticisms in a letter to Parliament published on Wednesday. According to the PVV minister, the maximum number of flights via the airport can be reduced in this case.

KLM emphasized that they are in support of reducing the noise pollution. But the reduction of flights while other measures are yet to be explored, is in conflict with European noise regulation, according to KLM.

The airline has made significant investments in quieter airplanes to reduce the noise near Schiphol. Madlener is planning on reducing the annual flights at Schiphol from 500,000 flights a year to 478,000.

“Capacity has to be restored when it becomes evidently quieter near Schiphol. Because the issue is related to less noise pollution, not a smaller Schiphol,” KLM said. “In this way, the aviation sector can continue investing in cleaner, quieter, and cheaper ways of flying, and the Netherlands can stay connected with the rest of the world, in balance with the area.”

The American Association for Airlines, A4A, threatened to sue the Cabinet last week. This organization, which includes Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines, also stated that the Cabinet did not follow the European Commission’s advice.