Initially sold as temporary measures introduced last year to ease pressure on its rather overwhelmed operations, Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport was forced to establish passenger and flight capacities. The supposed interim measures became relatively permanent this year after the Dutch government asked for the caps to continue.

While passenger caps have a slightly less significant and delayed effect on airlines, the continuation of the flight caps was too much for airlines to give in to - causing Dutch flag carrier KLM, Delta Air Lines, and several other carriers to take the Dutch government to court over the decision of capping annual flight movements.

Airlines have had enough of the government's limitations

Last month, the Dutch government outlined plans to shrink Schiphol Airport's annual flight capacity to just 440,000 flight movements by 2024, a significant 12% reduction from the current imposed limit of 500,000. While the initial reason for the caps was not to overwhelm operations, the present reasons were to reduce noise pollution.

KLM at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Photo: Ceri Breeze | Shutterstock

But as an act of good faith, the government proposed a slightly different temporary regulation by asking the number of annual flight movements to be capped at 460,000, to commence from November this year. Unfortunately, the airlines did not warmly welcome the proposal as several began branding it as incomprehensible.

Knowing that such reduced flight movements would certainly hurt their business, numerous carriers - specifically KLM, Delta Air Lines, Transavia Airlines, Martinair, TUI fly, Corendon Dutch Airlines, easyJet, Lufthansa, JetBlue Airways, British Airways, United Airlines, Air Canada, FedEx Express, and Vueling Airlines, decided to fight the government's decision in court.

Delta Air Lines at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Photo: Ceri Breeze | Shutterstock.

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Ruling in favor of the airlines

And it seems the Court of North Holland agreed with the airlines after it ruled that the Dutch government had not followed the proper protocols aligned with the European law procedures when introducing the new proposal for the temporary regulation. According to European rules, any state wanting to reduce the flight capacity of any airport can only do so after going through a meticulous process.

This careful process involves the state drawing up numerous measures that could solve the problem, meaning the Dutch government should have mapped out other measures that could reduce noise pollution and consulted with all stakeholders. If the other drawn-up measures are evidently considered ineffective, the state can propose a reduction in flight movements.

With the court ruling in favor of the airlines, the Dutch government cannot ask Schiphol Airport to reduce its flight capacity for now. And supporting the court's decision was the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Willie Walsh as he highlighted:

"This case has been about upholding the law and international obligations. The judge understood that the Dutch government violated its obligations in shortcutting processes that would bring scrutiny to its desire to cut flight numbers at Schiphol. This decision gives vital stability to the airlines using Schiphol airport this year and maintains the choice and connectivity passengers value."

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Photo: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

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The threat of flight reduction still exists

But Walsh warns that even though the airlines won against the Dutch government this round, the threat of flight cuts at Schiphol Airport still exists, especially after the airport itself announced wanting to reduce night flights the day before.

Similar to the proposal introduced by the Dutch government, the airport's announcement was made without consultation and was for the same environmental reason. Such threats make it much harder for airlines to get airport slots, jeopardizing flight schedules and affecting the overall aviation economy.

This is why the airlines emphasize working with the relevant parties to find a balanced solution to reduce noise pollution without immediately shifting to flight cuts, per European laws. Flag carrier KLM said:

"Together, we can arrive at an alternative that will have the support of all parties and therefore be effective. In consultation with the other airlines based at Schiphol Airport, our strategic partner Delta Air Lines, and aviation industry organisations, we will submit our views on this matter to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management by June 15th at the latest. Schiphol Airport emains welcome to join these consultations."

Bottom line

With Schiphol Airport more focused on environmental causes, the slight conflict of interest with fellow airlines will make future cooperation quite challenging in regard to flight movements. Hopefully, all involved parties will be able to work things out with everyone's interest achieved, airlines, airports, and passengers alike.

Source: ch-aviation

  • KLM grounded coronavirus
    Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    AMS/EHAM
    Country:
    Netherlands
    CEO:
    Ruud Sondag
    Passenger Count :
    20,887,144 (2020)
    Runways :
    18R/36L 'Polderbaan' - 3,800m (12,467ft) | 06/24 'Kaagbaan' - 3,500m (11,483ft) | 09/27 'Buitenveldertbaan' - 3,453m (11,329ft) | 18L/36R 'Aalsmeerbaan' - 3,400m (11,155ft) | 18C/36C 'Zwanenburgbaan' - 3,300m (10,827ft) | 04/22 'Oostbaan' - 2,014m (6,608ft)