The municipality of Amsterdam wants Schiphol to ‘seriously shrink’ to a maximum of 400,000 flights per year in order to reduce noise pollution and emissions. This is what the Municipal Executive wrote in a press release on Tuesday. In addition to a substantial reduction in the number of flights, the municipality wants to replace a complete night closure and short flights with international train traffic. A reduction in the number of aircraft movements to a maximum of 400,000, a complete night closure between 23:00 and 7:00, the banning of private jets and a distance- and seat-class-dependent flight tax are part of the broad package of measures that should restore the balance, writes alderman Hester van Buren (PvdA). ‘The reduction in flight movements directly reduces noise pollution, sleep disturbance and emissions. The measures adopted by the government to reduce noise nuisance must be laid down as soon as possible in an amended Airport Traffic Decree (LVB) that will be enforced, so that legal protection for local residents, even outside the established noise contours, is restored and Schiphol operates within the law again.’ Harbers With this position, the Amsterdam municipal executive is diametrically opposed to the policy of outgoing minister Mark Harbers (VVD). Last month, it announced that the number of flights could be increased to 470,000 thanks to measures such as fleet renewal, smarter processes in operations and by deploying the quietest aircraft at night as much as possible. Amsterdam owns 20 percent of Schiphol. In the press release, the Executive Board says that Amsterdam, as a shareholder, will ensure that Schiphol’s goals to improve working conditions are achieved. Employees who keep Schiphol running in security, cleaning and baggage handling must be given as much job security as possible, with a permanent contract, a decent schedule and a fair wage. Amsterdam also remains committed to curtailing remuneration at the top and remuneration according to the WNT standard (Top Income Standards Act, ed.). This would mean that Schiphol’s new CEO, Pieter van Oord, would have to make substantial cuts in salary. De Telegraaf reports on Tuesday evening that the municipality wants Van Oord’s salary to be halved from approximately 450,000 euros to the maximum based on the Top Income Standards Act, which provides for a maximum of 233,000 euros. That is the maximum salary that a minister earns. (Photo Shutterstock).
