Amsterdam Schiphol airport has been granted permission to temporarily cap flight movements, in a move which it says is aimed at addressing noise pollution and environmental concerns.
The cap was first announced by Schiphol – which is majority owned by the Dutch government – in February this year, only for several airlines including KLM, easyJet, TUI and Delta to go to court and successfully challenge the plans.
However the court of appeal has overturned the initial ruling, paving the way for Schiphol to cut movements by some 40,000 flights next year.
In response flag carrier KLM said that it was “disappointed” and was studying the ruling.
“The court does not specify in concrete terms how an experimental regulation can be applied,” said KLM. “As a result, it is currently unclear when, how and in what way the ruling will be implemented and what it means for the number of aircraft movements at Schiphol.”
Last month KLM outlined a three-pronged plan to reduce night-time noise levels, and in its latest statement the carrier said that it would “continue to engage with other stakeholders in seeking the best way to reduce the number of people affected by aircraft noise”.
KLM outlines three-pronged plan to reduce night-time noise levels
“To this end, we have submitted a plan for cleaner, quieter, more fuel-efficient flight operations on 15 June,” said KLM. “We are convinced that these measures will enable us to reduce noise impact and CO2 emissions, while retaining our network.
“We would very much like to achieve this in cooperation with government and airport authorities, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) and other stakeholders, within the framework of the balanced approach required by the EU in the context of the noise reduction targets the ministry has set.”
