A recent study reveals that nearly a third of flights taking off and landing at Schiphol contribute little to the Dutch economy. Researchers highlight that the economic benefits of many flights, especially transfers, outweigh the damage to public health and the environment caused by noise pollution and nitrous oxide emissions. Commissioned by the environmental organization Natuur & Milieu, the study comes at a time when the government aims to reduce the number of flights at the airport by 10% to just over 450,000 per year.

The outgoing cabinet’s proposed plans to reduce flight capacity face resistance from the domestic aviation industry and airlines from other countries, particularly the US. The US Department of Transportation has objected to the reduction of space for US airlines at Schiphol, particularly the exclusion of JetBlue. The threat of retaliatory measures is looming, escalating tensions between the two countries.

JetBlue, one of the 24 airlines operating at Schiphol since last summer, is among those affected. The denial of slots for the upcoming year has further heightened tensions. Meanwhile, KLM has warned of the consequences of forced downsizing, potentially impacting its transatlantic cooperation with key partners.