Highest Dutch court tears up Schiphol flight limit plan

The highest Dutch court, the Council of State, has torn up limits on the number of flights to and from Schiphol airport, saying the government has not properly explained why there should be a maximum number.

Former transport minister Barry Madlener introduced the 478,000 limit last year in an effort to reduce noise nuisance for people living close to the airport. He also reduced the number of night flights.

Airlines, local residents, Amsterdam and other councils, as well as several foundations and campaign groups, had appealed against the government’s decision for different reasons.

The airlines considered the limit on the number of flights to and from Schiphol unacceptable, while the surrounding councils and campaigners wanted lower limits because of noise pollution.

But the court said on Wednesday that the minister had not proven why the reduction was necessary and rejected the maximum number of take-offs and landings – which means there is currently no overall limit.

The court said not every aircraft produces the same amount of noise, so simply adding up take-offs and landings does not adequately reflect the total amount of noise the airport can generate in a year.

Nor had the minister properly demonstrated that his proposals would lead to a reduction in noise at all, the court said in its ruling.

The reduction in night flights from 32,000 to 27,000 a year will remain in force because there were no objections to that part of the plan.

The new government is already working on a new package of regulations for Schiphol airport, which will include maximum numbers for take-offs and landings.

Amsterdam officials want the airport to reduce the number of take-offs and landings to 400,000, close the airport at night and shut down one of its runways with a landing route directly over the city, in an effort to reduce both noise and pollution.