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AN APPEALS court judge in Amsterdam ruled that the Dutch government could order Schiphol Airport to reduce its flights from 500,000 to 460,000 flights per year. Schiphol Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe.
The Amsterdam Court of Appeal overturned a lower court decision last April which found the Dutch government did not follow proper procedures when asking Schiphol Airport to reduce its flights last year.
Civil aviation organizations, airports and airlines including KLM rejected the government’s order. The decision of the court of appeal can again be appealed to the Dutch Supreme Court.
In its statement Friday (7/7), 2023 the Amsterdam appeals court said its decision “takes into account the interests of the local community” in densely populated areas. Where for years residents have complained about noise pollution from the airport.
In a written response Schiphol Airport said it accepted the decision and hoped for a new air traffic order from the Dutch authorities soon. “As soon as possible with clear, workable environmental boundaries that provide clarity and perspective for all parties involved,” the airport said.
“The most important thing for us is for Schiphol to be quieter, cleaner and better,” the airport added.
Meanwhile airline KLM said it was “disappointed by the decision” and was studying it. “(We) will continue to engage with other stakeholders to find the best way to reduce the number of people affected by aircraft noise,” the airline said.
Schiphol has tried to solve this problem. Earlier this year the airport announced plans to stop all flights between midnight and 5am, banning private and noisy aircraft. As well as canceling a project to build an additional runway. [republika.co.id/photo special]
