KLM is pleased that the Dutch government has decided to suspend the shrinkage plans for Schiphol (the experimental scheme, ed.) for next year. “It is an important step to prevent retaliation (countermeasures, ed.) and to be able to continue to fly to the US. In addition, the European Commission has given a clear signal to follow a careful legal process in accordance with the balanced approach,” KLM said in a response to the government’s decision to postpone the reduction to 460,000 slots next summer. That means Schiphol could have a maximum of 500,000 slots next summer. ‘We have agreed to accelerate the implementation of a number of measures announced in the plan for cleaner, quieter and more economical measures in order to reduce noise pollution. Air France-KLM is accelerating its long-term plan to invest billions in fleet renewal and in the use of sustainable fuel (SAF). In the coming months, KLM and Transavia will put the first Airbus A320neo aircraft into service, with an average noise reduction of 33 percent. Since 2000, Air France-KLM has achieved a noise reduction of 40 percent,” KLM said. As is well known, the US disagreed with the shrinkage of Schiphol and threatened countermeasures, which would particularly affect KLM. In a letter to the Lower House, Minister Harbers (Aviation) reports that more countries have expressed concerns about the shrinkage plans. It was announced in early November that many airlines would have to cut back next year because of the shrinkage of Schiphol. For example, Air France-KLM, which includes Transavia, would have to surrender 5,700 slots from the airport next summer. That is now off the table for now. In addition, there were 24 airlines that did not accrue historical rights, so they would not be able to fly at Schiphol at all from the summer of 2024. Among them was American JetBlue, which had not been allocated any slots for summer season 2024. JetBlue has only been flying two scheduled services from New York JFK and Boston to Schiphol Airport since last summer. The company made quite a name for itself in the Netherlands and gained a lot of name recognition in a short time. (Photo KLM).
