A4E, ERA and IATA warn Schiphol flight cap could undermine EU Single Market

In response to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport’s decision to cap annual flights at 478,000, A4E, ERA, and IATA stress the importance of adhering to the European Commission’s recommendations. These guidelines uphold the Balanced Approach to noise management and safeguard the integrity of the EU Single Market. The Commission has made it clear: the objective should not be to reduce flight numbers arbitrarily, but to achieve meaningful noise reduction.

The aviation industry is actively advancing noise reduction through fleet modernisation, improved operational procedures and innovation, demonstrating its commitment to sustainable progress. However, the Dutch authorities’ decision to include noise reduction measures such as these in the baseline scenario presents a serious concern. Arbitrary capacity cuts will also undermine further investments in quieter, more fuel-efficient aircraft.

Additionally, the six measures that have been presented by the Dutch authorities are targeted solely at commercial aviation, despite the noise emitted by general and business aviation being included in the baseline scenario. This exclusion is discriminatory and contradicts the principles of fair treatment and market access.

“Noise reduction must be the focus, not unnecessary flight reduction and restrictions that come at the expense of connectivity,” said Montserrat Barriga, Director General, ERA. “ERA advocates for a collaborative, evidence-based approach to address noise concerns, rather than unilateral capacity restrictions that disrupt connectivity and the Single Market.”

“The European Commission has carefully evaluated each proposed measure,” said Ourania Georgoutsakou, Managing Director of Airlines for Europe. “The Commission’s observations can’t simply be ignored. We stand by our members as they explore legal avenues to ensure that noise mitigation efforts are fair, effective and proportionate.”

“Contrary to the Dutch Government’s claims, the EU Commission’s assessment specifically states that the Dutch Government ‘did not fully follow’ the Balanced Approach at Schiphol,” said Rafael Schvartzman, IATA’s Regional Vice President for Europe. “Most fundamentally, the process cannot be driven by a predetermination that annual operations must be reduced to a certain level. The Minister’s failure to adhere to the prescribed procedure and misinterpretation of the EU Decision undermines the integrity of the BA process across the EU as a whole and the Netherlands’ legal obligations under air services agreements. A new BA is urgently required to rectify these findings prior to any implementation of flight reductions.”