US airlines may sue Schiphol over planned flight reductions

In December, the Dutch government announced plans for Amsterdam Schiphol to handle 22,000 fewer flights, reducing noise pollution by 15%. This was a moderated approach following an earlier proposal to cut 50,000 flights, which faced strong industry opposition.

A4A further indicated it may not only take legal action in Dutch courts but also file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation. Potential escalations could occur, reminiscent of a 2023 incident where the US government considered revoking KLM's slots in New York when JetBlue's slots at Schiphol were at risk.

KLM, Amsterdam's largest carrier, criticized the proposed cuts as unnecessary and emphasized their investments in quieter aircraft.

The International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Balanced Approach involves exploring noise abatement strategies and considers flight restrictions as a last resort. The European Commission has previously criticized Schiphol for inadequate progress towards this approach.

Schiphol has taken measures such as increasing airline fees by 37% to encourage newer aircraft usage and instituting a night curfew. In February, Schiphol recorded a 1% increase in passengers but saw a 2% decline in overall flight movements. Additionally, the airport has faced visibility issues due to glare from solar panels in a nearby energy farm affecting runway operations.