Dutch authorities are expected to consider the controversial noise reduction plan for Amsterdam Schiphol Airport after an analysis by the European Commission found that potentially influential aspects are not given sufficient consideration.
Part of the plan will cap annual flight movements at 478,000.
Under a process known as a “balanced approach” for noise control, European Union members should consider measures such as reducing aircraft noise at sources, land use and planning, and noise mitigation procedures before limiting flights.
The committee reviewed the Dutch plan and said that while the authorities “for the most part” followed the correct procedure, there are “some shortcomings,” particularly decisions to exempt business and general aviation.
Despite the contribution of a 2.5% noise, the committee said it was “discriminatory” to deal with aviation that differs from those other sectors.
“While these services do not compete directly with each other, discrimination stems from the inclusion of both categories in the calculation of noise situations around Schiphol,” it states.
The committee adds that despite the natural tendencies of carriers modernizing aircraft, the plan considers only the effect of fleet renewals to be “partially” and did not fully investigate the possibility of revised flight procedures.
The verdict does not block the Dutch cap, but rather encourages a rethinking of the impact of the fleet-renewal and operational procedures, and aims to consider whether business, general aviation and general aviation will affect the situation.
Last year, the Dutch flag carrier KLM, which described 478,000 cap caps as “unintelligible,” highlights the “concerns” raised by the committee in its assessment.
“From this decision, it is clear that capacity reductions at Schiphol Airport itself are not the goal,” the airline says. “The focus should be on achieving the government's noise reduction targets supported by KLM.”
KLM says it expects the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure to “take in mind” the committee's findings and follow its recommendations before implementing capacity restrictions.
