The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) has decided not to take measures in response to the surpassing of the noise limit at enforcement point 25 last year. Why was this decision made? Find out in this article.
Around Schiphol there is a network of so-called enforcement points. The ILT uses these calculation points (which are not physical measuring points) to assess whether we comply with the noise limits that are stipulated in the Airport Traffic Decree of 2008.
In anticipation of a new Airport Traffic Decree, Schiphol has been flying in accordance with the New Standards and Enforcement System (Nieuwe Normen en Handhavingsstelsel, or NNHS) by order of the former Schiphol Local Community Council since 2013. That means that we make as much use as possible of the runways that cause the least noise nuisance in the local area. We refer to that as strict preferential runway use.
Because this system is not laid down in the law, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has, in anticipation of the new decree, ordered the ILT to carry out 'anticipatory' enforcement. This means that if noise limits are exceeded, no measures will be imposed on the aviation sector if it is the result of flying according to the proposed new regulations.
Last year it became evident that the noise limit at enforcement point 25 (at Uithoorn) was surpassed in the operating year 2023 (from 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023). The ILT has since concluded that this is the result of flying according to the NNHS system.
The Inspectorate believes that the aviation sector should have foreseen the noise limit infractions at enforcement point 25 and should have prepared for that. By not having done so, the ILT maintains that we failed to fulfil our duty of care.
Due to the suspension of the experimental regulation, the current situation will not be changing for the time being. Consequently, it is expected that the noise limits could be exceeded in the new operating year too. That's why the aviation sector has agreed to report to the ILT on a monthly basis, so that potential infractions can be signalled and acted upon earlier.
Moreover, the ILT has said that the current situation of tolerance regarding noise nuisance around Schiphol is undesirable. The court has also already concluded that it offers too little legal protection for local residents. Schiphol has major concerns about the unclear regulations regarding noise around the airport. Until a new Airport Traffic Decree provides clarity, we will adhere as closely as possible to the agreements made on strict preferential runway use.