IATA and ACI Europe Oppose Dutch Government’s Decision to Reduce Capacity at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
In a statement issued on June 24, ACI Europe emphasized that Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is the one that connects the Netherlands with the world, emphasizing the importance of keeping the flow of international passengers unlimited, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
“Along with KLM in particular and many other airlines, the airport has established strong hub operations, delivering air connectivity at levels and of quality that is well beyond that which a country the size of the Netherlands would normally attract,” the statement reads.
According to a report recently published by ACI EUROPE on the Airport Industry Connection 2022, for this year, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is ranked number one in Europe in terms of direct air connection and number three for downtown levels.
In addition, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is a leader in sustainability and is dedicated and working hard to reduce the airport’s environmental footprint and operations, thus trying to become a zero-emission airport.
“Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s air connectivity is a massive benefit to the Netherlands at various levels. Of course, this is about creating and supporting economic activity and jobs and thus livelihoods, as it is an essential factor in the attractiveness of the Netherlands as a place to do business,” the statement also noted.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s air connectivity also contributes to the position of the country and its soft power.
Commenting on the decision, ACI Europe General Director Olivier Jankovec pointed out that “Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is what makes the Netherlands bigger than it is”, adding that from this point of view, there is no doubt that the government’s decision to significantly reduce the capacity of the airport will make the Netherlands smaller.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) also expressed shock at the announcement by the Dutch government that it would reduce the number of annual flights at Schiphol Airport to 440,000.
In this regard, IATA Director General Willie Walsh said that this unexpected decision was a shocking blow to the aviation, jobs, and economy of the Netherlands.
According to him, the decision comes on top of a tripling of the passenger tax and a 37 per cent increase in airport fares.
IATA also revealed that before the pandemic, aviation supported more than 300,000 jobs and €22 billion of GDP for the Dutch economy.
Previously, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reported that on June 7, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport had decided to limit the number of passengers that could depart from the airport each day in an attempt to address the long queues and the latest problem of people missing their flights.
Moreover, the airport authorities have pointed out that the labour market is very narrow, and there are very few security guards who can control all the passengers who want to fly this year through this airport.
