Schiphol has a cap of 500,000 movements a year but the cabinet has approved proposals by Mark Harbers, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management to reduce this to 440,000 from November next year.
The government says this cap will allow Schiphol to maintain international connectivity and the possible opening of Lelystad Airport for leisure travel will relieve pressure.
Lelystad’s nature permit needs to be granted and issues surrounding low approach routes need to be resolved and no decision is expected before the summer of 2024.
Schiphol is in a highly urbanised area, exposing residents to aircraft noise and there are environmental and climate change concerns to consider, says the government.
Business association evofenedex, which represents logistics and international business in the Netherlands is calling on the government to make a distinction between different types of flights to protect cargo capacity.
Saying that cargo flights make up 2.5% of movements, they played a vital role during the pandemic, and connecting Dutch businesses to the world.
It says cargo flights have been under pressure since 2018 due to slot limits, and the proposals will be a double hit if belly capacity is reduced due to fewer passenger flights.
Air Cargo Netherlands says the move makes the local rule worthless, and is demanding that if flights are limited to 440,000 movements, 20,000 must be guaranteed for freighters.
Director Maarten van As says, “With the cancellation of 80,000 flights, there are no more slots left at Schiphol. So the local rule 2, which we have reached after a long process, is of no use at all and as far as we are concerned it is in the trash.”
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is among the associations condemning the move, accusing the government of “throttling” connectivity.
Pointing out that passenger taxes have tripled and airport charges have risen 37%, Director General Willie Walsh says, “This sudden decision is a shocking blow to aviation, jobs, and the economy of the Netherlands.”
He adds: “We are seeing a throttling of air connectivity which has been steadily built up for 100 years, and supported large parts of the Dutch economy and the aspirations of millions of Dutch travellers.”
IATA has also criticised the environmental arguments, saying that aviation contributes to 1% of NOx emissions in the Netherlands, and redistributing flight paths will increase the number of people exposed to aircraft noise.
The association adds that the previous administration recognised the importance of Schiphol’s connectivity by proposing increasing the flight limit to 540,000 movements a year.