Schiphol and the future Staying in balance with the local area

The limit on the number of air transport movements at Schiphol is an important topic, especially for local residents in the immediate vicinity of the airport. In 2008, consultations with all stakeholders involved resulted in an agreement on a maximum of 500,000 air transport movements until 1 November 2020. We reached this ceiling in 2018. The Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management recently indicated that Schiphol could grow in incremental steps after 2020, as long as environmental noise disturbance decreased. What exactly this entails and how it will be tested will be the subject of discussion and decision-making in The Hague in the coming period.

Does Schiphol have to grow?

There has been increased demand for transport worldwide, including air travel. Sustainability is vital for the future development of Schiphol’s air traffic and at our regional airports. We are aware of the effects that aviation has on our living environment, which is why we favour controlled and moderate growth post-2020. For us, ‘controlled’ growth means maintaining control over the airport’s capacity that we make available to airlines each year, so that we see predictable and gradual development. ‘Moderate’ growth means that we cannot and do not wish to meet the full market demand.

Maintain the network and limit noise

The growth in the number of aircraft movements is the minimum we need in order to maintain and strengthen the extensive network (of flights), and to simultaneously reduce noise disturbance in the area. That will only be possible if capacity becomes available at Lelystad Airport. That way, we will be able to connect the Netherlands with the rest of world, and to continue contributing to prosperity and well-being in our country and beyond. At the same time, we will actively strive to reduce noise disturbance in the area.

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