Amsterdam Schiphol Granted Nature Permit, Imposes Cap of 440,000 Annual Flights

Amsterdam Schiphol has secured a nature permit allowing the airport to enforce a minimum cap of 440,000 flight movements annually. However, until the upcoming government’s decision post-November elections, Schiphol will be permitted a maximum of 500,000 flights. The nature permit provides an avenue for the Dutch government to implement more stringent environmental and noise restrictions at the airport. Schiphol advocates for a new system aligned with the Paris Climate Accords, emphasizing reduced noise and emissions rather than focusing on flight movement numbers. The Dutch government’s proposals to Brussels, including a 5% daily noise reduction and 15% night noise reduction, are contested by KLM and IATA, who favor investments in efficient aircraft and flight procedures over a capacity cap. The situation has also prompted warnings from the United States regarding potential contravention of the open skies agreement between the US and the EU.