News item | 07-05-2025 | 10:30 am
With the completion of the Balanced Approach procedure, the government has again taken an important step in reducing noise nuisance around Schiphol. The results are recorded today in the Airport Traffic Decree (LVB). This publication is accompanied by a new approach to reducing the still remaining noise pollution. Minister Madlener adjusts the noise purpose, so that all new and quieter aircraft can also count from November 2025 when achieving these objectives.
In this way not only noise pollution is tackled, but also creates room for controlled growth of Schiphol in the future. If after the agreed 20% new noise space is created after the agreed 20%, for example due to quieter aircraft, this sound space 50-50 is distributed between the airport and local residents.
Policy change
The Balanced Approach procedure has led to a maximum of 478,000 flight movements per year from 1 November 2025, of which a maximum of 27,000 night flights. With this, the government has taken an important step in reducing noise pollution and the balance between the economic importance of Schiphol and the noise pollution that is experienced around the airport.
Due to the chosen policy change for both the remaining part of the noise agreements and the following period, all investments of the aviation sector can contribute to achieving the noise objectives after November 2025. The government gives substance to the wishes of the Chamber (Motion De Groot, VVD). The policy change will also be reported to the European Commission.
Balance
The maximum number of flight movements that arises from the Balanced Approach procedure is recorded in the Airport Traffic Decree (LVB). This intermediate step is needed to make the measures start in November. This enables Schiphol to determine the capacity distribution of the airport for the coming winter season. The next step in strengthening the balance between Schiphol and the living environment is a more extensive change in the LVB. If that has happened, the anticipatory enforcement can be terminated. As a result, the legal position of local residents is restored.
Noise reduction Schiphol
The government continues to commit to a noise reduction of a total of 20%. For the first 15%, the European Balanced Approach procedure has been completed and now completed. Today, the Cabinet has taken an important next step to strengthen the legal position of local residents around Schiphol and, in addition, offer the aviation sector future prospects. Finally, binding agreements are also made with the aviation sector about the use of quieter devices in the night, fewer night flights and fleet renewal.