IATA, Airlines challenge Netherlands government's decision to reduce schiphol airport's capacity
(MENAFN) The International Air transport Association (IATA) has announced that it will join forces with airlines in a legal challenge to the Dutch government's recent decision to reduce Schiphol Airport's capacity. According to IATA, Schiphol Airport, which is one of the world's busiest, is currently limited to 500,000 flights per year. However, a new government decree will further reduce Schiphol connectivity to 460,000 flights from November 2023, breaking an earlier agreement.
IATA's Director General, Willie Walsh, has criticized the Netherlands government's decision, claiming that it "is handicapping its economy by destroying connectivity. And it is doing it in contravention of EU law and its international obligations." Walsh has also alleged that the Dutch government has refused to engage in "meaningful consultations" with the aviation industry.
In June 2022, Schiphol Airport began slashing flight numbers in response to chaos and long queues at the airport. The airport faced a shortage of security staff and baggage handlers, forcing operations to run at a reduced capacity. Airports Council International has reported that Schiphol Airport was the world's third busiest airport in 2021 for international passengers, trailing only airports in Dubai and Istanbul.
IATA has argued that Schiphol Airport has focused too much on reducing flight numbers, rather than working collaboratively with the aviation industry to meet noise and emissions reduction goals while also revitalizing the post-pandemic economy and restoring employment opportunities.
In light of the legal challenge, it remains to be seen how the Dutch government will respond to these criticisms and whether there will be any changes to the planned reduction in Schiphol Airport's capacity.
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