European Commission criticises Schiphol noise reduction plan
March 6, 2025
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport has identified “some shortcomings” in Amsterdam Schiphol airport’s noise reduction plan, with Dutch authorities now set to examine the Commission’s decision before measures are implemented.
Under the Commission’s ‘Balanced Approach’ process, a review concluded that “while the Dutch authorities have largely followed the correct procedure,” nevertheless, “some shortcomings” were identified. These include the lack of consideration of general and business aviation from the proposed noise mitigation measures, “despite their contribution to noise”.
In January 2025, the airport recorded a total of 35,714 air transport movements (up 1.9% year on year), of which 922 were night flights (up 10.4%) and 644 occurred in the early morning (up 11%). General aviation, however, totalled just 1,441 movements (a negligible year-on-year rise of 0.1%).
Additionally, the Commission found that the Netherlands “has only partially considered the potential of fleet renewal to reduce aircraft noise” – an expected element of airlines’ future planning “based on current trends”. “The Netherlands did not provide sufficient evidence to support this approach or explain how it applies to Schiphol Airport specifically,” confirmed the Commission. The potential of noise-reducing flight procedures were also omitted from the plan.
Dutch authorities are now expected to examine the Commission’s decision “and inform on their next steps before introducing the measures”.
The Dutch Noise Action Plan 2024-2029 has set the goal to reduce the number of people and houses affected by nose around Schiphol by 20%. To achieve this, measures include reducing the annual number of flights from 500,000 to 478,000, and reducing the number of night time flights from 32,000 to 27,000.
In December 2024, KLM strongly criticised the Dutch government’s decision to cap the annual number of flights as “incomprehensible,” stating that its ‘Cleaner, Quieter, More Efficient’ plan already achieves noise reduction. “A smaller Schiphol is not necessary to achieve the noise targets,” it concluded.
