AMSTERDAM – The Dutch government must follow a special procedure under European rules and cannot simply decide to reduce the number of flights at Schiphol Airport, one of Europe’s busiest hubs, the Dutch Supreme Court said on Friday.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Even though the previous government had already suspended the plan to limit Schiphol’s flight movements to 460,000 per year, the decision is important for concerned airlines as it rules out any uncertainty for travellers and the sector.
It also overturned an earlier judgment by an Amsterdam court that said the Dutch State was allowed to implement two proposed measures to reduce noise pollution at Schiphol.
KEY QUOTES
“The decision of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal that the Dutch State was allowed to implement two proposed measures to reduce noise pollution at Schiphol will not be upheld. Based on European rules, a balanced approach procedure must be followed (to implement) the measures”, the Supreme Court said in its statement.
“KLM agrees with the clearly substantiated ruling of the Supreme Court”, KLM, Air France’s [AIRF.PA] Dutch arm, said in a statement on Friday. REUTERS