In the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, more than a quarter of its residents voted for the PVV. The party has ambitious plans for the future of Schiphol. What consequences does the significant victory have for the airport? And is it actually possible to grow?
The PVV makes no bones about it: in its election manifesto, the largest party in the Netherlands states in clear language that Schiphol must grow instead of shrink. The party also strives for the abolition of the flight tax. This charge is imposed on passengers for the use of aircraft. How does that vision fit in with the green course that the airport itself wants to take?
Shrinkage plan for Schiphol
The climate mayor of Haarlemmermeer, Franke van der Laan, calls the plans dramatic. According to him, the ‘me-me-me mentality’ is killing democracy. “One in three Dutch people would rather think about more holidays than about the future of their children,” says a seething Van der Laan.
According to the climate mayor, the hot potato is always being pushed forward. Alfred Blokhuis, chairman of the SchipholWatch Foundation, fully agrees. “We have long lost confidence in politics.”
At the beginning of November, outgoing minister Mark Harbers announced it Schiphol’s shrinkage plan temporarily suspended. Due to legal objections, he said it would not be possible to focus on downsizing the airport next year. The decision was against the sore leg of local residents, who baffled goods. But Schiphol itself also reacted with disappointment: “With this development, local residents are getting the short end of the stick and that disappoints Schiphol,” they write in a response.
Party leader Geert Wilders shouts a lot that he cannot deliver
Wilders’ plans impossible
A Schiphol spokesperson said in a brief response that the airport will, as always, enter into discussions with every party and every coalition. Yet the reaction of Schiphol boss Ruud Sondag last Sunday says something different. In the program News hour he indicated that the current situation is not sustainable for local residents. He also stated that the airport is in a shaky legal position and that Schiphol cannot handle 500,000 flights a year at all.
Blokhuis also argues that the situation is untenable for local residents. He does not see the PVV’s plans for Schiphol becoming reality anytime soon. “We have to adhere to international treaties. Party leader Geert Wilders says a lot that he cannot deliver at all.” According to the chairman, all announced plans will get stuck on legal points.
The international treaties drawn up in Brussels must combat air pollution and aircraft noise. Because airports often do not comply with this, all kinds of procedures are being conducted by environmental and local residents’ organizations.
The PVV party program includes:
“Dutch aviation is indispensable for our business climate, our economy, industry, international trade and export position and strengthens Dutch strategic autonomy. Mainport Schiphol is a beautiful airport; we are proud of that. Schiphol can therefore continue to grow. Dutch people must also have affordable can continue to fly from our own Dutch airports. That is why we are canceling the flight tax.”
Lack of meaning
It is quite remarkable that a party like the PVV has become so big in Haarlemmermeer. Local residents have been complaining about noise and pollution for years. Blokhuis: “Most people have not even read the election manifesto. The majority of voters do not realize what it means for them.”
The climate mayor also underlines: “We need a government with a sustainable compass. The election results are a matter of lack of meaning.”
What Blokhuis especially misses in Wilders’ story is the health aspect. He finds it surprising that the party does not even mention the subject at all. “Apparently a cheap holiday by plane is more important than healthy public health.”