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The Dutch government is significantly scaling back the original plans to reduce noise pollution around Schiphol Airport. Instead of the proposed 12% reduction in flight movements from 500,000 to 440,000, the government will now aim for a decrease to between 475,000 and 485,000 flights. This represents a reduction of only 3% to 5%.

The previous plan, which has been under review by the European Commission is now obsolete. The cabinet has already sent the revised, more modest version to Brussels for approval. The minister hopes for approval as early as May next year, with the measures potentially coming into effect before the winter 2025 season (November).

While the reduced shrinkage is a relief on paper for the Dutch air cargo sector, which had been concerned about the disproportionate impact of a 12% reduction in flights, it’s not without complications. Under the previous plan, the cargo sector was bracing for a 12% reduction in flights, with fears that passenger flights would replace some of these slots, potentially reducing cargo flights by up to 25%.

The limited reduction of flights in the new plan eases some of this pressure. Additionally, Minister Madlener has indicated that a potential night-time flight ban would not be introduced before 2027, pending further studies. This means express carrier DHL Express and cargo operators like KLM Cargo and Singapore Airlines Cargo can continue to use nighttime slots for the foreseeable future.

However, the new plan still brings challenges for the cargo sector. Schiphol is set to introduce significantly higher airport charges next year, specifically targeting older, noisier, and heavier aircraft - many of which are cargo planes. These measures, along with the introduction of quieter aircraft, are expected to contribute to a 17% noise reduction in the coming years, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure.  If these charges drive away cargo operations, the air cargo sector could still face a reduction of 25% or more in cargo flights.

Aircargonews noted the mixed response from KLM:  "It is important that the balanced approach process is completed carefully," the SkyTeam carrier stated. "It is positive that a number of measures from the broadly supported ‘cleaner, quieter, more efficient’ sector plan have been adopted.  "At the same time, KLM is concerned that the possible loss of historic slots could lead to retaliatory measures from other countries, resulting in the loss of connections important to the Netherlands as an international trading country."

Source: Aircargonews.com, Nieuwsblad Transport