KLM Royal Dutch Airlines issued a strong call to the Dutch government to reconsider its policy on capping flights at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The airline, a major operator at Schiphol, has expressed concerns over the government's plan to reduce the number of flights, advocating for alternative methods to achieve noise reduction goals. The Dutch government had previously announced plans to cut the number of flights at Schiphol to 460,000 annually, a significant reduction from the current 500,000, aiming to mitigate noise pollution for local residents.
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This decision was made in the context of broader environmental policies to reduce the airport's impact on the surrounding community. However, KLM contends that this approach does not consider the full spectrum of solutions available. In an open letter to the Infrastructure and Water Management Minister, Barry Madlener, KLM CEO Marjan Rintel argued that the most effective way to reduce noise is by encouraging the use of quieter aircraft. She pointed out that the current model used by the ministry for calculating noise levels does not adequately account for the benefits of newer, less noisy planes.
Rintel proposed that a tariff differentiation system for older, noisier aircraft could incentivize airlines to operate more modern, quieter models, potentially allowing for an increase in flight numbers without compromising on noise reduction. KLM's stance is supported by the fact that it has committed to investing €7 billion in fleet renewal over the coming years, aiming to transition to a more environmentally friendly and quieter fleet. Rintel also highlighted the potential economic repercussions of the flight cap, including job losses, diminished connectivity, and reduced tourism revenue.
The airline's pushback comes amidst ongoing discussions about the future of aviation in the Netherlands, where balancing growth with environmental considerations is a hot topic. KLM's proposal offers a compromise: instead of reducing capacity, which would negatively impact the Dutch economy, the government could focus on upgrading the fleet quality. This approach, according to KLM, would meet the noise reduction targets while allowing Schiphol to maintain its role as a pivotal hub in Europe. The government has yet to respond to KLM's latest appeal, but this development underscores the tension between economic interests and environmental policies in one of Europe's busiest airports.