Aviation organizations initiate summary proceedings against Schiphol downsizing plans

Aviation organizations have initiated summary proceedings to stop the plans for a reduction in the maximum number of flights to and from Schiphol. The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, Barry Madlener, told parliament during a debate.

BARIN, IATA, KLM-group, Delta, TUI, Aircargo Netherlands (ACN), and Airlines for America have initiated the proceedings. The case will be heard by the court in Haarlem on April 14.

The case is about the air traffic decision made by Schiphol. Madlener wants to alter the plans to have a maximum of 478,000 departures and arrivals at the airport in a year. This limit is a part of the measures that the Cabinet want to take to reduce noise pollution in the area of Schiphol. The parties want this to be lifted to 500,000 departures and arrivals, with 32,000 of those being at night.

The aviation organizations feel this goes against European laws and rules. They claim that Madlener ignored the European Commission’s advice, which goes against the balanced approach procedure.

“We oppose the fact that Schiphol's capacity is in danger of being restricted in violation of the law from winter season 25/26 onwards,” BARIN chairman Marnix Fruitema said to Luchtvaartnieuws.

“The government must first address the shortcomings that the European Commission had identified. For example, the complete fleet quieting, tariff differentiation, and operational measures must be included in the noise reduction plans before the maximum number of flights can be reduced,” Fruitema added.

“Despite all our efforts and billions of investments to fly quieter, cleaner, and more economically and to spare the night with quieter aircraft, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is sticking to Schiphol's downsizing,” a KLM spokesperson said.

"The criticisms from the European Commission's decision on the Dutch balanced approach are being ignored. That is unacceptable, and that is why we are filing summary proceedings with various other parties in the aviation sector. KLM can now do nothing else for its future prospects than take legal action against the minister's decision."

Madlener would not say anything more about the case. “We await the court’s verdict.”