Schiphol to maintain 15% noise reduction plan despite calls for greater cuts

The Dutch government is standing by its plan to reduce noise pollution at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport by 15 percent next year, despite calls from a majority in the House of Representatives for a larger 17 percent reduction. Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Barry Madlener rejected the proposal, warning it could lead to complications with the European Commission.

In December, Madlener expressed concerns over a motion introduced by the coalition party NSC, urging the government to implement a 17 percent reduction. The minister labeled the request “highly imprudent,” as it would require a deeper cut in the number of flights at Schiphol, triggering a new procedure in Brussels. This could potentially lead to delays in the process, Madlener explained in a letter to the Dutch parliament.

“The government understands that the House of Representatives, through this motion, is considering the importance of the living environment and the impact on residents,” Madlener wrote. “However, the government is also fully aware of this and is taking it into account as well.” He reaffirmed that the ultimate goal remains to reduce noise pollution by 20 percent in the long term. This will be done gradually, but as quickly as possible, according to the minister.

Last month, the government linked the 15 percent reduction in noise pollution to a new cap of 478,000 flight movements at Schiphol. This measure was aimed at preventing the more significant reduction that the aviation industry feared might be imposed. Until last year, Schiphol had the capacity for 500,000 flights per year, a target that has not been reached since the COVID-19 pandemic.