The Dutch government says it will appeal a court decision preventing Amsterdam Schiphol Airport from having to cut the number of flight movements for the 2023/24 season.
Last week, a court ruled that Amsterdam Schiphol wouldn't be able to reduce flights from November 2023 to October 2024. Airlines were fighting the government’s unilateral decision to permanently cut the number of flights at the airport from 500 000 per year, to 460 000 to reduce noise pollution. The reason for so doing was because the government hadn’t followed EU regulations, as had it failed to consult with airlines and took shortcuts on procedures.
Mark Harbers, Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, has said the government will appeal the Court of North Holland’s ruling.
As reported by NL Times, Harbers wrote in a letter: “The ruling is not in the interest of the people living near Schiphol. It is not yet possible to restore their legal position. For that reason, I have decided to appeal against the judgment of the preliminary relief judge.”
Simple Flying reports that, while the court has quashed Schiphol's proposed flight cuts for the 23/24 season, it has not banned its planned reduction for the 24/25 season, which would also see a limit of 440 000 aircraft movements.
Airlines maintain that other methods of reducing noise and air pollution are equally feasible, rather than making such drastic cuts to flight movements.
