Reaction KLM on cabinet\'s measures in balanced approach procedure

KLM has kept the Netherlands strongly connected to the rest of the world for over 100 years. That is important for the Dutch economy. KLM wants to operate in balance with the surroundings and takes its responsibility to limit noise pollution. 

Today, the cabinet decided to submit an amended package of measures in Brussels as part of the balanced approach procedure for reducing noise pollution around Schiphol. The outcome of this is a reduction with a bandwidth of 475,000 to 485,000 aircraft movements.

The package includes a significant reduction in noise at night through a combination of 5,000 fewer aircraft movements and measures such as deploying quieter aircraft as much as possible at night and banning noisy aircraft. This is expected to more than meet the noise target for the night.

It is important that the balanced approach process is completed carefully. It is positive that a number of measures from the broadly supported ‘cleaner, quieter, more efficient’ sector plan have been adopted. At the same time, KLM is concerned that the possible loss of historic slots could lead to retaliatory measures from other countries, resulting in the loss of connections important to the Netherlands as an international trading country.

KLM continues to renew its fleet and as a result, noise levels will further decrease in the coming years. We look forward to the European Commission’s assessment of the proposed measures with confidence so that a balanced package will soon be in place. This way we continue to connect the Netherlands with the rest of the world, in balance with the surroundings.