Reduction of Flights in Amsterdam-Schiphol: European Commission Criticism and Legal Challenges
The European Commission has expressed certain reservations regarding the Dutch government’s plans to reduce the number of flights at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport. Although the body has not raised fundamental objections to the reduction from 500,000 to 478,000 annual operations, it has identified “some deficiencies” in the proposed plan.
European Commission Criticism
One of the main points raised by the Commission is that the plan focuses exclusively on noise generated by commercial aviation, without considering the impact of private and medical aviation on noise pollution. Additionally, the project does not sufficiently evaluate the potential influence of fleet renewal and innovations in landing techniques to mitigate noise.
The European Union’s objectives state that 30% of the population should experience a reduction in noise pollution from transport, while the Dutch government’s target is 20%. According to official calculations, the current measures will reduce noise by 15%, leaving a 5% gap to reach the established target.
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The Commission has urged the Netherlands to monitor the effects of the notified measures and make the necessary adjustments before implementing new operational restrictions.
History and Legal Conflicts
Since June 2022, the Dutch government has been debating the reduction of flights at Schiphol, initially setting a limit of 440,000 annual takeoffs and landings. This decision sparked a series of protests from airlines and also from the United States, due to the potential impact on transatlantic flights.
The disputes led to several lawsuits, culminating in a ruling by the Supreme Court that established the need for European Commission approval before proceeding with flight reductions. Despite the ruling, the Dutch government must analyze the report and respond before implementing any operational restrictions.
Lawsuits Over Noise and Environmental Pollution
Schiphol and the airlines continue to face various legal proceedings related to noise and environmental pollution. In December, a group of local residents announced their intention to file a formal complaint for “mismanagement” and negligence regarding their health, arguing that they have been deprived of sleep due to excessive noise generated over the years.
The complainants point to the State and the airlines KLM and Transavia as the “main responsible parties” for this problem, due to their high nighttime activity.
Additionally, Schiphol is facing two other lawsuits related to its pollutant emission rights. Since 2019, companies with high nitrogen emissions must have a permit detailing the authorized discharge limits. For years, Schiphol operated without this permit, with the apparent leniency of the Dutch government.
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