Schiphol’s Balanced Approach response, submitted to the Minister of Infrastructure & Water Management, underscores the effectiveness of implementing several measures to alleviate noise disturbances caused by air traffic.
According to a recent statement issued by Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, these measures, encompassing elements from the airport’s comprehensive eight-point plan published in April, include the closure of Schiphol during significant portions of the night, the prohibition of the loudest aircraft as well as private jets, and the establishment of an environmental fund, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“We seize every opportunity to make the aviation industry cleaner, quieter and better. The same goes for the Balanced Approach. It is high time that measures have a noticeably positive impact on our neighbours, not just on paper but also in practice,” CEO Schiphol Ruud Sondag pointed out in this regard.
In addition, he noted that implementing a curfew and enforcing restrictions on the noisiest aircraft and private jets may present challenges for specific airlines. However, he emphasises that these measures are crucial for enhancing the quality of the living environment.
Sondag also highlights the importance of obtaining certainty and clarity on these measures by the summer of 2024 at the latest, enabling their implementation in the 2025 capacity declaration. By taking definitive action, Schiphol aims to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the concerns of employees, passengers, residents, politicians, and society, thereby rebuilding trust.
Moreover, Schiphol’s proposed measures are backed by calculations conducted using the ECAC Doc29 model, which is also utilised by the Ministry of Infrastructure & Water Management as the international standard for assessing the impacts of measures. These calculations provide concrete evidence that the proposed measures would significantly improve the living environment.
Schiphol recognises that the number of flights alone does not necessarily determine the level of nuisance caused by air traffic. Instead, they propose implementing a new system incorporating stringent environmental limits as the determining factor.
The airport focuses on achieving structural reductions in noise and CO2 emissions in line with the goals outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement by establishing and enforcing strict, measurable, and enforceable noise and emission limits.
Schiphol’s strategic shift towards prioritising environmental performance over the sheer number of aircraft movements underscores its unwavering dedication to sustainable aviation practices and its pursuit of a greener and quieter future.
Thus, with an envisioned system slated for implementation by 2025/2026, Schiphol is firmly committed to reducing noise and emissions, ensuring tangible progress toward its sustainability goals.
>> Schiphol Planning Night-Time Closure & Ban on Private Jets for a Quieter & Cleaner Environment