Voyages d'Affaires hasover the last few weeks, largely echoes an authoritarian reduction in the number of aircraft movements at Amsterdam airport. This decision came into force with the start of the winter season.
Gradual reduction in the number of annual movements from 500,000 to 452,000 However, the airlines were lobbying hard. This was quickly taken up by governments.
The fact that Delta Air Lines and JetBlue in the United States will be deprived of their frequencies next summer set off a firestorm. The US government was quick to denounce the reduction in flights as "a threat to the safety of our citizens". unfair, discriminatory and anti-competitive for airlines" .
With the threat of strong retaliatory measures. For a time, the authorities envisaged withdrawing KLM's right to land at certain airports, notably New York JFK. Le Canada has also adopted a firm tone, indicating that it is prepared to restrict the Dutch airline's landing rights.
Respite
Faced with the turn of events, the Dutch government has therefore announced that it is suspending the experiment underway at Schiphol.
The Dutch airline KLM described the decision to suspend the plan as "... a mistake". important measure to avoid reprisals and continue flying to the United States" .
KLM stated in a press release that it had accepted a number of the measures announced. These include a " a cleaner, quieter and more economical plan to accelerate the reduction of noise pollution" . The company added that it shared the government's environmental concerns and that it was "committed to protecting the environment". fully committed to reducing its ecological footprint" .
Reaction from the Schiphol airport authorities?
On the other hand, the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Authority was unexpected, to say the least. In an official statement, Schiphol expresses " his disappointment "because this cancellation means that the residents of the surrounding municipalities will be unable to benefit from the new services. at an impasse" .
" Reducing the number of flights is not an objective in itself for us.but the experimental decision has brought clarity and certainty to local residents." . A return to the previous situation". only adds to the uncertainty, including for the aviation sector itself" states the press release.
It is understandable that an airport should seek to minimise and reduce its ecological impact. But openly expressing "disappointment" is surprising for an airport authority whose primary objective is to promote the growth of its airport. Schiphol, however, remains firm on a ban on night flights. As well as a ban on private aviation and the noisiest aircraft...
