"IATA challenges legality of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport\u2019s flight reductions"

" IATA challenges legality of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport\u2019s flight reductions \r\n\r\nFollowing the decision from the Dutch government to reduce the capacity of\u00a0 Schiphol International Airport \u00a0(AMS), the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and global airlines are launching a legal challenge citing violations of EU regulations and international agreements.\r\n\r\nSchiphol, the main international airport of the Netherlands and one of the busiest airports in Europe, is currently limited to 500,000 flights annually. However, the airport continued to struggle to cope with the demand throughout 2022, notably due to recurring staff shortages and the sudden resumption of traffic, leading to major disruptions.\r\n\r\nThus, in June 2022, the Dutch authorities announced they would cut the number of annual flight movements further to 460,000 from November 2023, and 440,000 the next year. Officially, the decision to limit the number of flights was based on concerns regarding noise and air pollution.\r\n Tempers flaring between KLM and The Hague \r\nThe United States-based low-cost carrier\u00a0 JetBlue \u00a0was among the first to step up. In February 2023,\u00a0 after it failed to obtain slots to fly into the Dutch capital city , the carrier asked the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to investigate \u201canti-competitive\u201d and \u201cdiscriminatory\u201d measures that violated the US-EU \u201cOpen Skies\u201d Air Transport Agreement.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Photo: Fery Iwandy\/Shutterstock \r\n \r\nBut the most significant complaint comes from\u00a0 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines , the cornerstone airline of Schiphol. On March 3, 2023, the Dutch carrier announced it joined forces with Delta Air Lines, Corendon, easyJet, and TUI to bring legal action against the government. The airlines are protesting against an \u201cincomprehensible\u201d measure and are convinced of being able to reduce noise and CO2 emissions while maintaining the current number of flights. Marjan Rintel, CEO KLM, said:\r\n \u201cWe are embracing the targets set for reducing noise levels and CO2 emissions, investing billions in fleet renewal and SAF procurement that will ultimately supersede these targets while maintaining our network that serves 170 destinations worldwide. This is good news for the millions of people who fly from the Netherlands with KLM every year whether for business or leisure and for the cargo industry. As the government appears not to hear our call, unfortunately we find ourselves compelled to take legal action.\u201d \r\n \r\n IATA steps in \r\nIATA joined the legal action, claiming that \u201cthis political decision by the Dutch government contravenes EU Regulation 598\/2014 on noise-related operating restrictions at EU airports.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe requirements of EU Regulation 598\/2014 and the Balanced Approach include consultation with affected parties, using flight reductions only as a last resort, and balancing the interests of local residents, the environment, and the local economy with aviation's economic and social benefits.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Photo: Nancy Beijersberger\/Shutterstock \r\n \r\nAccording to\u00a0 IATA , the decision to reduce Schiphol's capacity does not meet these requirements since there was no meaningful consultation with the industry, flight reductions were imposed as a first resort instead of a last resort, and it fails to address the economic damage inflicted on the aviation industry in the Netherlands by the pandemic.\r\n\r\nWillie Walsh, IATA\u2019s Director General:\r\n \u201cThe Netherlands is handicapping its economy by destroying connectivity. And it is doing it in contravention of EU law and its international obligations. The job-destroying hostile approach to aviation that the Dutch government has chosen is a totally disproportionate response to managing noise. [...] The dangerous precedent that this illegal approach creates left no choice but to challenge them in court.\u201d "

"IATA challenges legality of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport\u2019s flight reductions"

PURC Recovers Over GHS 4m for ECG in H1 2025 Through Complaint ResolutionAMP

Ghana Premier League 2025/26 Season Dates Announced by GFAAMP

2025 Mid-Year Budget Review: CSO Budget Forum Urges Further Measures to Support Cedi Stability, Lower InflationAMP