The proposed reduction in the number of Schiphol flights to 460,000 per year will not be implemented for now. Outgoing Infrastructure Minister Harbers decided to do so after criticism from the European Union and the United States. Another 500,000 flights could operate via Schiphol next year.
There was a meeting about the plans yesterday. The Americans did not accept the contraction and threatened to take countermeasures that would affect KLM in particular.
Last week, it became clear what impact the disruption would have on airlines’ take-off and landing rights (called “slots”). One of the consequences of this was that new companies lost their ground. Among others, the American company JetBlue will also be affected.
hold the target
In our country, airlines filed a lawsuit against the government due to planned personnel cuts. According to them, the ministry tried to implement the cut unilaterally. They did not agree with this.
Several aviation advocacy groups supported the lawsuit. The companies initially won the case, but the ministry was vindicated on appeal. The case is currently before the Supreme Court, the highest court in our country.
Minister Harbers stated in a letter to the House of Representatives that he expressed concerns about the contraction plans of other countries, including Canada. The proposed cut will be put on hold at least until the Supreme Court rules.
Harbers admits that this is “a bitter pill to swallow for the environment” but emphasizes that “the cabinet is determined to restore the balance between Schiphol and the environment in which it lives.”
This is also possible because a European process to implement staff reductions is currently underway. The so-called balanced approach brings together ideas from all perspectives, including residents, businesses and other parties. These plans should include adequate measures to reduce noise pollution, for example.
‘Shocked’
Local residents’ organization Schiphol Watch was stunned by this decision. “The cabinet was actually blackmailed by the Americans. Now it will be up to another country to decide how big our airport should be,” says Alfred Blokhuizen from Schiphol Watch. “At the same time, getting rid of this between the Cabinet, KLM and Schiphol feels like a double whammy. The problem arising from the airport is ignored. “The inconvenience and air pollution are huge.”
Sijas Akkerman from the North Holland Nature and Environment Association describes the situation as incomprehensible: “We call on all political parties to reverse this decision on the first day after the elections.”
Schiphol itself was disappointed. “With this development, citizens become victims. For us, reducing the number of flights is not an end in itself, but in the end there is clarity and certainty for residents. “Now is the time for residents to experience this with noticeably less inconvenience.”
KLM is satisfied
KLM took part in the lawsuit against the workforce reduction plan and was therefore satisfied. “We are pleased that the government has decided to do this. “This is an important step in preventing countermeasures and continuing to fly to the United States.”
KLM CEO Marjan Rintel told an aviation conference in Amsterdam earlier in the day that he hoped for a solution to the dispute with the United States over the downsizing of Schiphol. In response, KLM further explains: “It was decided to accelerate work on a number of announced measures to reduce noise pollution, such as cleaner, quieter and more economical flights.”
The company assumes that noise reduction can also be achieved by using newer, quieter aircraft and that a reduction in the number of flights is not necessary. “In the coming months, we will put into service the first Airbus A320neo aircraft with an average noise reduction of 33 percent.”
American JetBlue cites a “good first step” by the Dutch government. The airline started flights between the US and Schiphol at the end of August. “We remain committed to a long-term solution that enables new participants and competitors like JetBlue,” the airline said.
Source: NOS
Roy Brown is a renowned economist and author at The Nation View. He has a deep understanding of the global economy and its intricacies. He writes about a wide range of economic topics, including monetary policy, fiscal policy, international trade, and labor markets.
