Summary
- Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s planned capacity cuts for next summer have been temporarily suspended following pressure from the EU and the US, much to the disappointment of local residents.
- The cuts would have affected nearly 50,000 flights, impacting airlines like KLM and causing JetBlue to cancel its Amsterdam services. It remains uncertain if JetBlue will reinstate the routes.
- Instead of capacity cuts, the airport will focus on other measures to reduce its impact on residents, including a night closure, banning private jets, and using only the quietest aircraft during nighttime. KLM supports these measures and will adjust its flight schedule accordingly.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) has found itself forced to cancel planned capacity cuts for next summer. The reductions were being introduced to reduce the airport’s impact on local residents, and have now been temporarily suspended by the Dutch government following increasing pressure from both the EU and the US.
Plans were underway to cut almost 50,000 flights at the airport in 2024, down from a pre-pandemic high of 500,000. KLM would have been by far the most affected airline, but the impacts were wider-reaching too. For example, earlier this month, JetBlue revealed that it was canceling its Amsterdam services from both New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS). It remains to be seen if the US carrier will now reinstate the routes.
Photo: Aerovista Luchtfotografie | Shutterstock
While the affected airlines no doubt celebrated the decision, the airport released a statement earlier today, in which it said,
“Schiphol is disappointed by the recent developments, as local residents are getting the short end of the stick.”
Pressure from both sides of the Atlantic
On November 2nd, the US Department of Transportation declared the plans in violation of the 2007 US-EU Air Transport Agreement. Then, on November 13th, the EU followed suit, with the Commissioner for Transport issuing a letter stating that the capacity cuts were not compliant with EU regulations.
Photo: Kevin Hackert | Shutterstock
Today’s decision comes at a crucial time for the Dutch government too, as the country is due to head to the polls for a general election on November 22nd, with environmental concerns one of the key issues facing voters.
Other ways to reduce the airport’s impact on local residents
With the planned capacity cuts now temporarily suspended, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will instead focus on other ways to support and promote the continued well-being of local residents. These include a night closure and the banning of both private jets and the noisiest aircraft.
According to a statement issued by the Dutch Minister of Infrastructure, Mark Harbers, the government is committed to striking a balance between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and its surroundings. The statement went on to say that KLM plans to support such measures by not scheduling any passenger flights between the hours of 00:00 and 06:00 from March 31st, 2024.
Photo: KLM
From the same date, KLM will also plan to use only the quietest aircraft at nighttime. For the Dutch flag carrier, this would mean using only its most modern aircraft, such as the Boeing 787. Data from ch-aviation shows that KLM’s fleet currently contains 23 787s, with a further five on order. The airline also has four Airbus A321neos on order.
KLM had feared that it would be forced to reduce its flight schedule to the US in retaliation to the capacity cuts at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. In response to today’s ruling, the airline said,
“KLM is satisfied that the Dutch government has decided to suspend the experimental rule for next year. It is an important step to prevent retaliation and to continue flying to the US. Air France-KLM has accelerated its long-term, multi-billion euro investment plan in fleet renewal and in the use of sustainable aviation fuel. In the coming months, KLM and Transavia will receive their first Airbus A320neo family aircraft, with a noise footprint reduced by 33% on average.”
As another carrier that stood to be severely impacted by the capacity cuts at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Simple Flying has reached out to Delta Air Lines for comment.
What do you think of this latest development in the planned capacity cuts at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport? Do you plan to travel to or from the airport next year? Let us know by commenting below.
Source: ch-aviation, Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure
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KLM Cityhopper is based at Schiphol Airport. Photo: Getty Images 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)
