Emergency order issued for Schiphol ahead of climate protest

Authorities in the municipality of Haarlemmermeer have issued an emergency order for Schiphol Airport this weekend in response to a planned Extinction Rebellion (XR) demonstration on Saturday. Officials cited concerns about potential "high-risk actions" and the possibility of "serious public disturbances."

The emergency order is in effect from Friday at 6 p.m. until midnight Sunday. Under the order, individuals are prohibited from being within two meters of ditches and fences surrounding the airport. Violators will face legal consequences, according to municipal officials.

The Extinction Rebellion protest is scheduled to take place on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Activists are targeting Schiphol and KLM, the Dutch airline, as part of their campaign against pollution caused by the aviation industry. Greenpeace has announced its support for the protest.

The group is calling for an end to KLM’s Flying Blue loyalty program, which rewards customers with points that can be redeemed for discounted flights. XR argues that such programs encourage excessive flying and contribute to environmental harm.

The municipality referenced past climate protests at Schiphol in 2019 and 2022 to justify the emergency order. Those demonstrations reportedly involved "numerous violations and crimes," leading to significant disruption to public order and safety at the airport. "Given the history of these protests, we are taking preemptive measures to ensure safety and maintain public order," a statement from the municipality said. Officials have not elaborated on the specific "high-risk actions" that prompted the order.

Greenpeace and Extinction Rebellion have been vocal about the need to address the aviation industry's environmental impact, with activists frequently staging demonstrations at airports to draw attention to their cause. Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, has been a focal point of these efforts.