KLM hits out at Schiphol flight cap
December 9, 2024
KLM has voiced strong opposition to the Dutch government’s decision to cap flights at Schiphol Airport to 478,000 movements annually, arguing the move undermines the country’s global connectivity.
The flag carrier said the proposal, backed by the Dutch cabinet, to reduce Schiphol to 478,000 aircraft movements, from 500,000 currently, was “incomprehensible”.
KLM says it supports reducing noise pollution for Schiphol’s surrounding communities, and it has already committed €7 billion to quieter aircraft. It has also outlined its Cleaner, Quieter, More Efficient plan, which it says achieves noise reduction without limiting flights. “A smaller Schiphol is not necessary to achieve the noise targets,” the airline stated.
KLM warned of potential retaliation from other nations, which could harm not just aviation but the broader Dutch economy. The airline also questioned the ministry’s assumptions and criticised the decision-making process.
With aviation central to global mobility, KLM emphasised the stakes: “Aviation will always play a role in our lives if we want to explore the world, conduct business, and visit family. If the Netherlands is without a well-connected Schiphol, we are taking gigantic steps back in time. That is why it is so important that this decision is made on the right grounds.”
The airline said it was awaiting the European Commission’s review.
