Amsterdam warns revised Schiphol rules could harm residents’ health

The municipal government of Amsterdam is deeply concerned that the revised standards and regulations for Schiphol Airport will have negative health effects on many of the city’s residents. The mayor and aldermen detail several specific points of concern in their message to the minister.

The city is calling for a cap of 400,000 aircraft movements annually. Yet the draft airport traffic decision now on the table leaves room for Schiphol Airport to increase its number of flights from 478,000 to as many as 500,000 per year.

The city government strongly objects to the possibility of increased use of the Oostbaan runway, whose flight path crosses the Noord, Centrum, and Zuid boroughs. The municipality warns that hundreds of thousands of people would face significantly more aircraft noise and greater safety concerns. It reiterates its longstanding call for Schiphol Airport to shut down completely during the night, from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

In addition, the city administration warns the minister that the revised decree is likely to affect urban planning policy. Amsterdam is concerned that housing projects, especially those located under the Oostbaan’s flight path, may face new limitations.

Uithoorn, a municipality heavily impacted by flights on the Aalsmeerbaan, has likewise reacted with strong disappointment. This week, Alderman Ferry Hoekstra said the town had hoped for firm, protective rules for its residents, but argued that unveiling a revised airport traffic decision without tangible benefits only further erodes public confidence.

Uithoorn shares Amsterdam’s view that the priorities of Schiphol Airport and the broader aviation industry are outweighing the concerns of the people living nearby.