Schiphol to get 3,000 fewer night flights per year – but that still leaves 29,000 per year

The number of night flights at Schiphol in the next 3 years will be reduced from 32,000 to 29,000. That still means around 80 flights per night – hugely more than other airports. There has been an agreement  – the Alders Agreement – between the airport and the local communities under the airport ‘s flight path. It allows for some growth at the airport but only within strict environmental limits. In order to remain within these limits the number of night flights had to be cut, but the agreement is only for 3 years.  Schiphol is saying that the 3,000  flights are not being switched to other airports, and it is a real reduction, not just a displacement.  Up to 2020  the limit for the number of aircraft movements at Schiphol is 510,000 per year. There are also meant to be measures to use quieter planes to cut noise and compensate residents for noise.

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Schiphol get three thousand fewer night flights

Apologies for imperfect translation into English …
Schiphol get three thousand fewer night flights
12.11.2012  (Dutch news website – Luchtvaart Nieus.nl)

THE HAGUE – The number of night flights at Schiphol in the next three years will be reduced from 32,000 to 29,000. [29,000 is about 80 flights per night].

Schiphol Airport has got an agreement with the communities under the flight paths called the Alders Agreement. It allows for some growth at the airport but only within strict environmental limits. In order to remain within these limits the number of night flights had to be cut.

This comes from the Alders Agreement between the airport and local residents in the region around the airport, reported Secretary Wilma Mansveld on Tuesday in a letter to the Lower House.

The number of night flights will be brought down, to reduce the noise for residents. Actually, it was intended that from 20:30 quieter aircraft would arrive by countries in gliding flight, with little engine noise. [ie. ? continuous descent approach – CDA?]

However, there were so many disadvantages that now for the alternative plan has been chosen.  Agreements on night flights will be subject to fewer still gliding can be entered.

Incidentally, the three thousand night flights are not being switched to other airports. “This is really a reduction, not a displacement,” said a spokesman.

The agreements on the gliding flights were made in 2008 and included in the Aldersakkoord Agreement.  This states, among other things, the exact amount by which Schiphol can grow in the future.
Up to 2020  the limit for the number of aircraft movements is 510,000 per year. The other 70,000 flights where there is demand for them, should be taken over by regional airports.
Also in 2008 it was decided to introduce a new noise system, using aircraft that make the least noise  and nuisance during takeoff or landing.

There would also be local measures to reduce or compensate for noise.

 

Original article in Dutch at

http://www.luchtvaartnieuws.nl/nl-NL/Article.cms/Airports/Schiphol_krijgt_drieduizend_nachtvluchten_minder