The pushback procedure is being modified so that aircraft are pushed to a position where the engines are started later and further away. In addition, their exhaust is no longer directed towards the apron.
Before departure, an aircraft is first pushed from the aircraft stand to a specific point within the bay. We call this the decoupling point. Previously, we did not take ultrafine particles into account when determining the aircraft's position during this procedure. In the new procedure, we do. The aircraft is towed to the decoupling point and only then starts its engines. The aircraft's position is also adjusted so that the engines are no longer aimed at the employees on the apron.
In 2025, we carried out a trial with the modified pushback procedure at Pier D. This trial showed a 19% reduction in ultrafine particles. The modification of the pushback procedure is now being tested and implemented bay by bay.
First implementation
On 25 June 2026, the revised departure procedure was implemented on Pier D. Pier D is the first location at Schiphol where the new procedure has been adopted as standard practice.
We developed and tested the new way of working in close collaboration with partners, including pushback drivers, pilots and ground controllers. The experience gained on Pier D is providing an important foundation for the further rollout of this measure across Schiphol.
Trials are now also underway on Pier FG. The goal is to assess, step by step, how we can implement this approach across all piers at the airport.