The Netherland’s Council of State has overturned a former decision to downsize flight numbers at Amsterdam Airport due to inadequate justification. The vote annuls the former decision made by Barry Madlener, the minister responsible for aviation in the previous right-wing populist government, to limit flight movements to max 478,000 per year. According to the Council of State, his ministry did not take the decision with sufficient care and failed to provide adequate justification.
For example, when determining the maximum level of noise pollution, the ministry did not sufficiently take into account that quieter aircraft, emitting limited noise pollution, are also operating at Schiphol. This fact should have been included in the underlying emissions calculations. Since this did not happen, the rigid limit of 478,000 takeoffs and landings per year set by the Madlener administration is invalid, argues the Council. In addition their members claim that the Minister did not sufficiently substantiate his decision. According to the Council, not every aircraft produces the same amount of noise, so a simple addition of flights alone does not adequately reflect the total amount of noise that may be produced in a year.
(Almost) back to the starting point
With the Council’s vote, the ball is now back in the Dutch government’s court. In practical terms, the search for sustainable solutions for future-proof flight management in Amsterdam can begin anew. The current situation is essentially similar to the conditions in 2004, when the first Airport Traffic Decree was adopted. Since then, the issue has been going in circles – despite mounting uncertainty in aviation circles and growing unrest among residents of communities adjacent to Schiphol the airport.
No influence on cargo traffic at AMS
At least for the cargo sector in Amsterdam, the Council’s vote is unlikely to have any impact. The number of movements between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. had already been reduced from 32,000 to 27,000 per year. However, according to traffic forecasts, this number of cargo flights is unlikely to be reached in the long term.
To round it off: Following the Council of State’s decision, the Dutch government, Amsterdam Airport management, cargo airlines and Schiphol employees are just as wise – or rather, just as at a loss – as they were before.
Almaty replaces Dubai
As for Air France-KLM Group member Martinair Cargo, the flight schedule for the coming summer season listed stopovers at Dubai World Central for a number of B747-400F services between Amsterdam and Hong Kong. Instead, all eastbound flights operated by MP to the APAC region are turned into nonstop services. Due to Dubai’s negative security outlook, MP Cargo decided to scrap all tank stops in until the Gulf Emirate further notice. Further to this, the carrier announced the upping of cargo flight frequencies to Hong Kong from 5/7 to 6/7. Three of these services will include landings in Incheon. A new routing, voiced earlier this year by the carrier. In addition to this, MP Cargo leaves open if the airline will return to Dubai DWC in the coming months. All depends on the security situation in the Gulf region, sys management. If not, Almaty will continue to be used for technical stops on westbound legs.
