It’s a small change with a big impact. Thanks to a new departure procedure at Pier D, employees working on the apron are now exposed to fewer aircraft emissions.
By positioning aircraft slightly differently before departure and arranging engine start-up procedures more efficiently, ultrafine particle emissions in the workplace are reduced. Trials have even shown a reduction of nearly 20 percent. That’s good news for everyone who works on the apron every day.
What exactly has changed? Before an aircraft departs, a pushback driver pushes it back from the pier to the taxiway. This is necessary because aircraft cannot reverse on their own. It’s this process that is now different on Pier D.
Where planes used to be positioned at an angle, they are now positioned straight. This means that engine exhaust is no longer directed towards the area where employees are working. The result is less direct exposure to ultrafine particles and exhaust emissions.
The solution sounds simple. In practice, however, such a change requires extensive preparation. Operational safety always comes first. That is why pushback drivers, pilots and ground controllers thoroughly tested the new way of working. Together, they explored how the procedure could be carried out safely and efficiently. The new departure procedure has now become standard practice on Pier D.
According to Esmé Valk, Schiphol’s Chief People & Transformation Officer, it is precisely these kinds of practical improvements that make the difference.
‘Changes like this make a meaningful difference in the day-to-day lives of the people who work here,’ she says. ‘We want to provide everyone at Schiphol with a healthy workplace. That's why, in everything we do, we look for ways to reduce emissions and increase the distance between employees and aircraft engines. This is a tangible example of that approach – emissions in the workplace have been measurably reduced.’
Pier D is the first location where Schiphol has made this departure procedure standard practice. Trials are also underway on Pier FG. Every pier is different, which is why we assess what is possible at each location. We test, learn from experience and implement improvements step by step. In this way, we continue to build an airport with lower workplace emissions.
The new departure procedure is one of the measures Schiphol is taking to reduce emissions and limit exposure to harmful substances. We are doing this together with partners such as KLM, Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL) and ground handling companies. This collaboration can be seen across a range of initiatives, including more sustainable taxiing procedures that enable aircraft to move more efficiently across the apron, and the increased use of electric ground support equipment.
The goal is always the same: lower emissions, cleaner air and a better workplace for the people who work at Schiphol. This approach is in line with Schiphol's sustainability goals. Our ambitions focus not only on reducing CO₂ emissions, but also on improving air quality and protecting people's health.
Sometimes progress comes from making a smart adjustment to an existing way of working. The new departure procedure shows how small changes can make a big impact, not only for the future, but also for the people who work here today.