Schiphol CEO Ruud Sondag expects that the number of flights at the airport will not be able to shrink this year. The plan to reduce the number of flights from 500,000 to 452,500 is under review by the European Commission. Sondag does not expect a quick decision on this, reports the Telegraaf. At the intercession of the outgoing cabinet, Schiphol would actually like to reduce the number of flights as early as 2024 in order to limit the inconvenience to local residents. That plan already met with a lot of resistance from airlines last year, which went to court for it. The airlines believe more in the use of quieter aircraft instead of cutting the number of flights. In November, it emerged that the European Commission also has its doubts about the steps taken to arrive at the shrinkage plan. Outgoing Minister Mark Harbers (Infrastructure) therefore decided to postpone the shrinkage plan for the time being and first send it to the European Commission for assessment. Schiphol is now waiting for that verdict. Sondag thinks that the contraction cannot continue in November this year. ‘I think that’s too ambitious. Then Brussels’ verdict should be available before March. The summer of 2025 seems more realistic.’ According to the newspaper, Sondag is once again arguing for the shrinkage plan to include the fact that flights will no longer be flown at Schiphol at night.
‘That ensures that there is real silence during part of the day.’ As is well known, Sondag has been temporarily appointed CEO of Schiphol. In June, he will be succeeded by Pieter van Oord, formerly a top executive at maritime contractor Van Oord. (Photo Schiphol).
