KLM Challenges Dutch Government's Noise Pollution Strategy

KLM has urged the Dutch government to reconsider its strategy for reducing noise pollution at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, advocating for the promotion of quieter aircraft rather than implementing a reduction in flight numbers. The government plans to announce a new flight cap that could lower annual traffic from 500,000 to between 475,000 and 485,000 flights. KLM CEO Marjan Rintel stated that replacing older airplanes with newer models would be a more effective noise reduction strategy and proposed higher tariffs for noisier aircraft to incentivize this shift. She warned of potential retaliatory actions from other countries if international airlines lose landing slots at Schiphol, affecting KLM's global rights. KLM is set to invest 7 billion euros into upgrading its fleet and supports tariff differentiation to help achieve noise reduction goals. Previous efforts to limit flights faced opposition, leading to a court ruling that required the government to take more substantial actions regarding noise pollution.