The Dutch Minister for Nature and Nitrogen Policy has officially granted Schiphol Airport a crucial nature permit.
This permit now allows Schiphol to operate within a flight range of 440,000 to a maximum of 500,000 flights.
The path to the permit
The path to obtaining this permit commenced on October 1, 2020, and since then, it has undergone several revisions and updates to align with the stringent regulations and requirements.
This achievement marks a significant step for Schiphol Airport, and is covered by the covenant of the Nature Conservation Act.
Importantly, this development offers a newfound sense of certainty not only for Schiphol but also for the surrounding environment.
Beyond ensuring compliance, the permit now paves the way for the government to introduce innovative policies tailored specifically for Schiphol.
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Airport Traffic Decree
One such policy is the proposed Airport Traffic Decree, which promises a novel approach characterized by strict environmental and noise constraints within the aviation industry.
The aim is to establish this new system expeditiously, with a target timeline set for completion by 2025-2026 at the latest.
In light of this, Schiphol Airport has called upon the government to devise a comprehensive, legally anchored framework.
They say that the framework should pivot away from focusing solely on the quantity of flight movements as the guiding principle.
Instead, it should prioritize the overarching goal of achieving a significant reduction in both nuisance and emissions, aligning seamlessly with the Paris Climate Agreement.
By shifting the focus from means to goal, Schiphol endeavors to strike a harmonious balance between its operations and the welfare of the local environment, its dedicated workforce, and its contribution to global climate objectives.
According to recently released statistics, 6 million passengers flew to, from or via Schiphol in August 2023. This represents an increase of 14% compared to August 2022 and an increase of 60% compared to 2021.
The number of flights to and from Schiphol was 41,584 in August 2023. This is a 10% increase compared to 2022. Of these flights, 33,964 went to European destinations and 7,620 to intercontinental destinations.
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