The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has once again reacted to the Dutch government’s decision to reduce slots at Amsterdam Schiphol, with the measure entering into force in Summer 2024.
According to a press release by the authority, IATA’s Deputy Director General Conrad Clifford highlights that this decision will impact employment and the economy in the Netherlands detrimentally.
“This is where the Government’s ill-thought-out plans hit reality: fewer destinations, and less choice, resulting in fewer travellers, lost employment, and reduced investment coming into the Netherlands,
He also pointed out that there is too much at stake with this decision, and jobs and the Netherlands’ prosperity will be damaged.
Furthermore, in the press release, Clifford turns to the EU Commission to act in defence of its own Regulations. He asks for governments to remind the Dutch of their responsibilities under international law.
In the meanwhile, IATA’s appeal to the Cassation court remains to be heard, and they are hopeful that the authority will decide swiftly on the legality of this measure.
The decision of the Dutch government to cut flights at Schiphol airport will see the number of flights reduced to 460,000 for the summer season of 2024 and another 452,000 for the winter of 2024. The measure comes as the government is determined to reduce the noise caused by aircraft movements that make life difficult for residents.
Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, has also criticised the decision and pointed out that it will hurt the Dutch economy and aviation workers. He vowed that IATA will continue to fight this decision in the Courts and that it will speak on behalf of the global airline community, travellers and those who rely on the industry.
The final package of measures indicates that changes like using quiet devices, especially during the nighttime, limiting the use of runways, and reducing the number of flights by thousands of flight movements.
Aviation brings a lot of great things to the Netherlands, provided that attention is also paid to the negative effects on the people living around the airport. Today, we present the measures that can be introduced in 2024 to reduce noise pollution, as announced last year,”
ACI Europe, the association of airport operators, also denounced the Dutch government’s decision and shed light on how this measure will impact air travelling next year.
Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI Europe, noted that these decisions are being made for electoral purposes right ahead of the national elections that are scheduled to be held soon. Jankovec also urged the EU Commission to reinforce the respect of the new Balance Approach principles within respective governments.
