The Dutch Council of State has annulled the government decision to cap flights at Amsterdam Schiphol on 11 March 2026. The ruling states the measure lacks proper justification for noise reduction. Annual movements were capped at 478,000 and nighttime flights reduced from 32,000 o 27,000 under the overturned decree.
The 2008 Airport Traffic Decree returns to force without a total cap. Nighttime commercial movements stay limited to 27,000 thousand annually between 22.00 and 07.00 local time.
The council said the Dutch government failed to justify noise reduction from the total flight limit.
A Schiphol shared in a written statement: “We will study the ruling carefully and will consult with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management to understand what it means for the airport and the number of flights”
KLM shared in a written statement: “This ruling confirms that a legally sound and careful approach is necessary for all parties involved”
