As of March 31, 2024, Schiphol Airport will undergo significant changes, as outlined in its official capacity declaration for the 2024 summer season. This declaration heralds a reduction in both private jet operations and the total number of permitted flights, aligning with the government’s experimental scheme.
According to the capacity declaration released on September 28, Schiphol will accommodate a maximum of 280,645 flights during the 2024 summer season, spanning from March 31 to October 26, 2024. This represents a noteworthy decrease of approximately 12,400 flights compared to the previous summer season in 2023. The reduction stems from Schiphol adhering to the government’s experimental scheme, which caps the maximum annual flight limit at 460,000, marking a shift away from anticipatory enforcement.
The experimental scheme has a substantial impact on private flights, leading to a 40% reduction in ‘small business traffic’ and private jet operations. The new maximum for the entire operating year stands at 12,000, with only 7,200 permitted during the summer season, a notable drop from the previous year’s figure of 17,000. This change aligns with Schiphol’s overarching goal to ultimately prohibit private flights to and from the airport, a vision outlined in Schiphol’s 8-point plan introduced in April. Alongside the private jet ban, Schiphol aims to implement a night curfew.
Schiphol maintains its commitment to banning the noisiest aircraft, further reinforced in the capacity declaration for the 2024 summer season. The airport has identified 87 aircraft types that are unwelcome at Schiphol, ensuring they cannot return. While many of these aircraft types were already absent from Schiphol’s airspace, the ban solidifies their exclusion.
Additionally, Schiphol incentivises the use of quieter aircraft through airport charges. Airlines will face substantially higher charges when operating the noisiest and most polluting planes, compared to utilising quieter and environmentally friendly aircraft, with a fivefold difference in charges.
