KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Transavia Airlines have criticised the Dutch government’s updated noise reduction measures for Amsterdam Schiphol, which include capping night flights further to 27,000, a blanket night ban on large aircraft, and potential partial night-time closures by November 2026.
The revised package of measures was announced by Infrastructure and Water Management Minister Mark Harbers in response to a court ruling and includes proposals for replacing noisy aircraft with quieter ones, closing two runways during daytime rest periods, making noisy aircraft more expensive, and banning the noisiest aircraft during certain hours.
Transavia expressed disappointment at the reduction in night flights, warning of a significant impact on its business, and questioned the proposal of a night closure still under investigation.
KLM stated it was studying the proposed package, supporting some elements of its own noise reduction plan, but criticizing measures harmful to the aviation industry and not proportionate, calling for a balanced approach in line with EU guidelines to meet noise reduction targets without harming the industry or economy.
